AE225: Question & Answer:

1. What is the main purpose of an aircraft's wing?

2. Define lift and explain how it is generated.
3. What is the difference between subsonic and supersonic flight?
4. What is the purpose of a wind tunnel in aerospace engineering?
5. Explain the concept of angle of attack and its importance in flight dynamics.
6. What is the role of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) in aerospace design?
7. Define and explain the importance of the Reynolds number in aerodynamics.
8. What is the purpose of a nacelle on an aircraft engine?
9. Explain the difference between a turbofan and a turbojet engine.
10. What is the purpose of a compressor in a jet engine?
11. Define and explain the significance of the thrust-to-weight ratio in aircraft performance.
12. What is the difference between a monocoque and a semi-monocoque structure in aircraft
design?
13. Explain the concept of flutter and its importance in aircraft design.
14. What is the role of a vertical stabilizer on an aircraft?
15. Define and explain the importance of the critical Mach number in transonic flight.
16. What is the purpose of a pitot tube in aircraft instrumentation?
17. Explain the concept of boundary layer separation and its effects on aerodynamic
performance.
18. What is the purpose of a variable-sweep wing design?
19. Define and explain the concept of the center of gravity and its importance in aircraft stability.
20. What is the role of a spoiler in aircraft flight control?
21. Explain the concept of aerodynamic heating and its importance in spacecraft design.
22. What is the purpose of a rocket nozzle?
23. Define and explain the importance of the specific impulse in rocket propulsion.
24. What is the difference between a liquid-propellant and a solid-propellant rocket?
25. Explain the concept of staging in rocket design.
26. What is the purpose of a reaction control system in spacecraft?
27. Define and explain the importance of the apogee and perigee in orbital mechanics.
28. What is the purpose of a Hohmann transfer orbit in spacecraft trajectory design?
29. Explain the concept of escape velocity and its importance in space missions.
30. What is the role of a heat shield in spacecraft reentry?
31. Define and explain the importance of the specific energy in aircraft performance.
32. What is the purpose of a ram-air turbine in aircraft electrical systems?
33. Explain the concept of supercritical airfoils and their advantages in aircraft design.
34. What is the role of a yaw damper in aircraft stability augmentation systems?
35. Define and explain the importance of the Prandtl-Glauert compressibility correction.
36. What is the purpose of a bleed air system in aircraft engines?
37. Explain the concept of bypass ratio and its impact on engine efficiency.
38. What is the role of a thrust reverser in aircraft deceleration?
39. Define and explain the importance of the stall speed in aircraft performance.
40. What is the purpose of a variable-cycle engine in aircraft propulsion?
41. Explain the concept of aeroelasticity and its importance in aircraft design.
42. What is the role of a turbine blade cooling system in jet engines?
43. Define and explain the importance of the specific fuel consumption in aircraft performance.
44. What is the purpose of a gimbaled thrust vector control system in rocket propulsion?
45. Explain the concept of reusability and its impact on spacecraft design.
46. What is the role of a thermal protection system in spacecraft reentry?
47. Define and explain the importance of the ballistic coefficient in spacecraft design.
48. What is the purpose of a guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) system in spacecraft?
49. Explain the concept of orbital transfer vehicles and their significance in space exploration.
50. What is the role of a launch escape system in crew safety during rocket launches?