aerodynamics
Science of streamlining
Aerodynamics is the study of how air moves around solid objects, especially objects moving through the atmosphere.
The field emerged from the need to understand flight: how wings generate lift, how drag slows vehicles, how turbulence affects stability.
The principles apply beyond aircraft to cars, buildings, cyclists, and anything else that interacts with moving air.
The car's aerodynamics were designed to reduce fuel consumption.
Mathematician behind lift theory
- ReynoldsSurname or foil brand
- turbulenceChaotic flow patterns
- laminar flowSmooth, parallel fluid motion
- vortexRotating fluid column
boundary layer · viscosity · pressure · momentum · drag coefficient · eddy · wake · kinematics
Capacity to withstand force
- frictionResistance between touching surfaces
- drag coefficientMeasure of aerodynamic resistance
- air resistanceForce opposing atmospheric movement
- decelerationDecrease in speed
turbulence · boundary layer · separation · wake · airbrake · parachute · slipstream · terminal velocity
Relating to motor vehicles
- racecarHigh-speed competition vehicle
- chassisStructural support base
- spoilerPremature ending disclosure
- diffuserDevice that scatters evenly
splitter · underbody · side skirt · rear wing · Formula One · NASCAR · wind tunnel · downforce
Smooth, lustrous quality
- teardropSingle unit of crying
- contourBounding line of shape
- fairingAerodynamic exterior panel
- cowlingRemovable engine enclosure
nose cone · laminar flow · smooth surface · efficiency · bullet shape · form factor · profile · curvature
Wing-to-airflow orientation
- camberDesigned surface curvature
- chordNotes sounded simultaneously
- stallEnclosed compartment or delay
- circulationMovement through a system
downwash · pressure differential · wing loading · aspect ratio · ground effect · flaps · slats
Limb enabling flight
- fuselageAircraft's central structure
- aileronWing-mounted roll control
- flapsHinged control surfaces
- rudderPivoting stern blade
winglet · propeller · jet engine · cockpit · tailfin · nacelle · canard · slat
Designing functional systems scientifically
- optimizationMaximizing efficiency or performance
- prototypeFirst functional specimen
- CADTechnical drawing technology
- simulationImitation of real processes
wind tunnel · efficiency · testing · modeling · iteration · performance · computational · analysis
Bernoulli
Mathematician behind lift theory
- ReynoldsSurname or foil brand
- turbulenceChaotic flow patterns
- laminar flowSmooth, parallel fluid motion
vortex · boundary layer · viscosity · pressure · momentum · drag coefficient · eddy · wake · kinematics · thermodynamics
resistance
Capacity to withstand force
- frictionResistance between touching surfaces
- drag coefficientMeasure of aerodynamic resistance
- air resistanceForce opposing atmospheric movement
deceleration · turbulence · boundary layer · separation · wake · airbrake · parachute · slipstream · terminal velocity · streamlining
automotive
Relating to motor vehicles
- racecarHigh-speed competition vehicle
- chassisStructural support base
- spoilerPremature ending disclosure
diffuser · splitter · underbody · side skirt · rear wing · Formula One · NASCAR · wind tunnel · downforce · streamlining
sleekness
Smooth, lustrous quality
cowling · nose cone · laminar flow · smooth surface · efficiency · bullet shape · form factor · profile · curvature
angle of attack
Wing-to-airflow orientation
circulation · downwash · pressure differential · wing loading · aspect ratio · ground effect · flaps · slats
wing
Limb enabling flight
rudder · winglet · propeller · jet engine · cockpit · tailfin · nacelle · canard · slat · spoiler
engineering
Designing functional systems scientifically
- optimizationMaximizing efficiency or performance
- prototypeFirst functional specimen
- CADTechnical drawing technology
simulation · wind tunnel · efficiency · testing · modeling · iteration · performance · computational · analysis · refinement
- automotive engineeringpowertrain, drivetrain, engine design, brake systems, suspension systems
- Ski Jumpingtakeoff, flight, landing, outrun, large hill
- flightflying, fly, flight, aviation, aircraft
- aerospaceairplane, helicopter, rocket, rockets, spacecraft
- aviationaircraft, airports, flying, flight, airplane
- Physical Sciencesphysics, chemistry, astronomy, geology, meteorology
aerodynamicsstatics
Mechanics of equilibrium
aerostatics · structural analysis · static equilibrium · rest · immobility
aerodynamicsdrag
Resistance through fluid
air resistance · non-streamlined · bluntness · wind resistance · turbulence
- aerodynamic shapeForm minimizing air resistance
- aerodynamic designForm minimizing air resistance
- aerodynamic dragForce resisting motion through air
- aerodynamic liftUpward force from airflow