How Airfoil Really Works

BY JAROM PADGETT

Wings In the
Wind
T H I S PAP E R H E R E I S AT R E S T W I T H
N O O U T S I D E F O R C E S AC T I N G O N I T.
T H E S H A P E T H AT I S F O R M E D
R E P R E S E N T S T H E TOP S U R FAC E O F A
T Y P I C A L AI R P L A N E WI N G .

I N TH I S P H O TO, AI R I S B E I N G
B L O W N O N TH I S PAP E R F R O M TH E
R I G H T. AS YO U C A N S E E TH I S ,
W H E N TH E AI R I S B L O W N O N I T, TH E
PAP E R P U L L S U P TOWAR D TH E W I N D

Bernoul li 's principle and Newtons T hi rd L aw

Bernoulli's principle states that for fluids (air is a fluid) that have viscosity without energy being conducted through them, an
increase in the speed of the fluid occurs simultaneously with a decrease inpressure. In the photos previous, the air
is moving faster which means that the pressure is also lowered. The air under the paper is unaffected by the flow of
air which causes it to push back harder on the paper causing it to rise. This is a fundamental principle in how aircraft
fly. However, because this is simple to explain, it is a common misconception that this is the only way airplane
create their lift. Although it is actualy very complex, the way it really works is best summed up with this in relation to
Newtons third law. The angle of attack of the wing is what actually creates the lift. The air being diverted down with
the wing and Bernoullis principle bring the air in order to be pushed down creates the lift. This action of the air
creates the reaction in the form of lift.