AERODYNAMICS

INTRODUCTION
-

Aerodynamics is a branch of fluid mechanics.

- A fluid is defined as a substance, liquid or gas,

that readily and continuously changes shape
when acted upon by external forces.
- Aerodynamics deals with
- Study of the properties of air
-Effect of forces upon it
-Analysis of forces that govern the relative
movement between air and a body.

DEFINITIONS & UNITS

Mass - Matter - kilogram, Pounds, Slugs
Inertia Quality - Newtons first Law
Velocity Rate of change of position m/s, ft/s
Momentum = Mass x Velocity
Force Push or Pull to change momentum
Forces in equilibrium

 Acceleration = Force/Mass, m/s or ft/sec

Gravity constant 9.81 m/s or 32 ft/s
Acceleration due to gravity - Same units
Terminal velocity
Weight - Force due to gravity, Newton
C of G Point through which weight acts
Density - Mass/unit volume [ kilogram]/v

Motion in: Force required,

curved
Magnitude depends on mass
Path
and acceleration needed
: Rate of change of momentum
in direction of force applied
: Acceleration even when
speed constant
: Vertical Circle
Centripetal Force = mv where v
(Centre seeking)
r
r
is the acceleration
Centrifugal Force: Outgoing;

Work :
meter)

Force x distance

(Newton

1 Newton meter = 1 Joule

Power :

Rate of doing work

Newton meter/ sec or Joule/ sec
1 Joule/ sec is = 1 watt ; 1 HP = 745.7 watts
Energy : Ability to do work; unit as work
Kinetic Energy = mV Joules
Energy & momentum : mv (dissipated)
mv (constant)

UNITS
Temp :
Force :
Weight :
Nautical mile =
Statute mile =
Kilometer =

C, F, K
Newton
Newton (mass x g)
or (Kg x 9,81 m/s)
6280 ft
5280 ft
3280 ft

SYMBOLS
Temp : t ;
Time (sec) : t
;Distance : S ;
Acceleration : a .
Initial velocity : u ;
Final velocity :

FORMULAE
s = ut ;
s = ut + at ;

v = u + at ;
v = u + 2as

Force

: vector Qty (magnitude &

direction), can be added,
subtracted or resolved

Moment

: Force x distance from

point to line of force
In moments there is no
movement

Pressure :

Force/unit area
(Newton/sq meter)

Pressure in a fluid : Only magnitude

No direction; to the surface
Force due to pressure has direction,
Pressure increases with depth

Pressure :
head
:

Pressure due to height of fluid

760mm of Hg or 10mtrs of H2O
(instead of Newton/Sq mtr)
proper unit is N/m
also called Pascal (Pa)
100 Kn/m = 1 bar

Archimedes : Upward Thrust

Principle
= Weight of thefluid displaced
increases with depth

Gas Law :
Pressure = Gas constant x Absolute temp
density
OR

P=RxT

OR

P x V (volume) = K (constant)
T

THE ATMOSPHERE
Atmosphere is a column of air
extending vertically up to a height of
500 miles above the earths surface.
Air is a viscous, compressible
fluid, which is assumed to be
incompressible and ideal gas up to a
speed of 300 knots or 0.4M
Some of the important properties
of air exhibited in the atmosphere are:

QUALITIES OF AIR
Visibility of air
Density

Inertia

: Invisible

: Low ; 1/800 of water ;

Flights possible due to density.
It reduces with height.
It varies in proportion to the
pressure and is
inversely proportional to the
temperature.
: Obeys all laws of

Pressure : Average at sea level due to

weight of the atmosphere is
101 kN/m or 760 mm of Hg ;
Reduces with height.
Rate is much greater at
ground due to compressibility.
Humidity : Is the amount of water vapour
present in the air.
Density of water vapor is
about 5/8th that of dry air.

Temperature : Reduces with height

@ 6.5 C per 1000 m (Lapse rate)
up to 11,000m (Troposphere)
OR
1.98 C/1000ft upto
36,090 ft.
The temp is constant above
(Stratosphere).
Tropopause is the interface
in between.
Lapse rate & height of
tropopause change with latitude.
Viscosity : Resistance of one layer to

International Standard Atmosphere (ISA):

For aircraft performance
At sea level
Temp is +15 C,
Pressure is 101.325 kN/m
Tropopause is 11,000 m
Lapse rate is 6.5 C per 1,000 m.