Question Details

The weight of an aero plane flying in air is balanced by

Options

A

Upthrust of the air which will be equal to the weight of the air having the same volume as the plane

B

Force due to the pressure difference between the upper and lower surfaces of the wings, created by different air speeds on the surface

C

Vertical component of the thrust created by air currents striking the lower surface of the wings

D

Force due to the reaction of gases ejected by the revolving propeller

Correct Answer :

Force due to the pressure difference between the upper and lower surfaces of the wings, created by different air speeds on the surface

Solution :

The correct answer is: Force due to the pressure difference between the upper and lower surfaces of the wings, created by different air speeds on the surface.

Step-by-Step Explanation:

1. Understanding the Wing Design (Aerofoil):
The wings of an airplane are designed with a special cross-sectional shape called an aerofoil (or airfoil). The upper surface of the wing is curved outward (convex), while the lower surface is relatively flat.

2. Airflow and Bernoulli's Principle:
As the airplane moves forward, air streams past the wings. Due to the curvature of the upper surface, the air traveling over the top of the wing has to travel a longer path and move faster than the air passing underneath the flat bottom of the wing.
According to Bernoulli's principle, for a streamline flow of an ideal fluid (or gas like air), the sum of pressure energy, kinetic energy, and potential energy per unit volume remains constant. Mathematically, this is expressed as:

P+12ρv2+ρgh=constant

Since the change in height (h) across the thickness of a wing is negligible, we can simplify this relation to:

P+12ρv2=constant

Here, P represents the static pressure of air, ρ is the density of air, and v is the speed of the air. This equation implies that where the velocity of the air is high, the pressure is low, and vice versa.

3. Creation of Dynamic Lift:
Since the air speed over the upper surface (vupper) is greater than the air speed under the lower surface (vlower), the pressure on the upper surface (Pupper) becomes lower than the pressure on the lower surface (Plower):

Plower>Pupper

This pressure difference (ΔP=Plower-Pupper) acts over the area (A) of the wings, creating an upward force called dynamic lift:

Lift=ΔP×A

4. Balancing the Airplane's Weight:
In steady, level flight, this upward lift force is precisely equal and opposite to the downward gravitational pull (weight) of the airplane, keeping it suspended and balanced in the air.

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