If the velocity of the relative wind increases, what happens to lift for a given airfoil at a fixed angle of attack?

Unlock all questions

This demo includes only 20 questions. Upgrade to access hundreds of questions, flashcards, exam simulations, and disable ads.

Full question bankExam simulationsFlashcards
From $24.99Unlock all

Prepare for the Theory of Rotary Wing Flight Test. Sharpen your skills with flashcards and multiple choice questions, with hints and explanations for each. Ace your exam with confidence!

Multiple Choice

If the velocity of the relative wind increases, what happens to lift for a given airfoil at a fixed angle of attack?

Explanation:
Increasing the relative wind speed raises the dynamic pressure on the wing, and lift scales with that dynamic pressure. For an airfoil, lift is L = q S CL, where q = 1/2 ρ V^2. At a fixed angle of attack, CL stays roughly the same, so doubling the wind speed makes q increase by a factor of four, and lift increases accordingly (approximately four times as much). This holds as long as you’re not near stall, where CL would start to fall and lift wouldn’t keep rising with speed.

Increasing the relative wind speed raises the dynamic pressure on the wing, and lift scales with that dynamic pressure. For an airfoil, lift is L = q S CL, where q = 1/2 ρ V^2. At a fixed angle of attack, CL stays roughly the same, so doubling the wind speed makes q increase by a factor of four, and lift increases accordingly (approximately four times as much). This holds as long as you’re not near stall, where CL would start to fall and lift wouldn’t keep rising with speed.

More Multiple Choice Questions
Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy