Bernoulli’s Principle

Bernoulli’s Principle:
• A Swiss
scientist born
in 1700’s that
is most famous
for his work in
fluid pressure.
 Remember!!!
• Air is a gas and a fluid
• Air pressure is due to the
motion of its particles
• ex. The quicker a stream of
particles travel, the ???????
 Bernoulli’s Principle
• Pressure in a moving stream
exerts less pressure than the
air surrounding the moving
stream Quick stream = low air pressure

Slow stream = High air pressure

 Standing Tennis Ball
• In your notes,
hypothesize
why the tennis Penn

ball ‘stands’ in
the air.
• Draw the air AIR FLOW
currents.
 The Answer
The tennis ball is surrounded by an air
stream of equal speed, thus equal pressure.
The down force is ‘G.’ ‘G’
Thus, the ball stands on
air. The air pressure below
is equal with the ‘G’ force.

AIR FLOW
 Bernoulli & Flight
• Bernoulli’s
Principle is what
allows birds and
planes to fly.
• The secret behind
flight is ‘under
the wings.’
•The air on top of the wing must travel a longer
distance than the air below the wing. But, air on
both sides must reach the end of the wing at the
same time. Therefore, the air on top of the wing
traveling faster = less air pressure.

Creates Lift

AIR
Below is a NASA illustration of what
surface pressure is exerted on what
surface areas of the wing. Is this
plane ascending or descending?
This diagram shows regions of air
pressure around specific areas of the
wing. Again, notice that the low pressure
region is above the wing, allowing for
upward thrust.
 LIFT

THRUST
DRAG
GRAVITY
•The engines provide THRUST.
•The wings provide LIFT.
•Gravity provides the ‘G force.’
•And, fluid friction provides the
DRAG.
•What is happening
if the airplane is
flying at constant
altitude?
What forces are =?