aerophysics
Air movement study field
Aerophysics is the branch of physics concerned with the behavior of air and other gases in motion, particularly as they relate to objects moving through the atmosphere at high speeds.
The field encompasses the study of aerodynamic forces, atmospheric properties, and the physical principles governing flight.
It has practical applications in aircraft design, missile development, and space vehicle reentry.
The aerophysics of hypersonic flight presents unique challenges for engineers.
Resistance through fluid
- liftMechanism for vertical transport
- turbulenceChaotic flow patterns
- BernoulliMathematician behind lift theory
- streamlinesMakes more efficient
shockwave · compressibility · supersonic · subsonic · transonic · hypersonic · airfoil · stall
Lowest atmospheric layer
- stratosphereSecond atmospheric layer up
- mesosphereAtmospheric layer, 50-85km up
- thermosphereHigh-temperature atmospheric zone
- exosphereAtmosphere's outermost region
barometric · ionosphere · airglow · airmass · convection · coriolis · jetstream
Forceful forward motion
- rocketPropulsion-driven spacecraft
- turbojetTurbine-powered aircraft propulsion
- ramjetVelocity-fed aircraft engine
- scramjetSupersonic-combustion ramjet
turbofan · nozzle · afterburner · combustion · propellant · air-breathing · compressor · turbine
Airborne transportation vehicle
- altitudeMeasured height above reference
- airspeedAircraft's atmospheric velocity
- stabilityResistance to displacement
- aileronWing-mounted roll control
flaps · pitch · yaw · roll · maneuverability · soaring · glider · trim
Federal space exploration bureau
- simulationImitation of real processes
- instrumentationDesign of measuring devices
- high-altitudeElevated atmospheric position
- experimentalTesting new methods
drag
Resistance through fluid
- liftMechanism for vertical transport
- turbulenceChaotic flow patterns
- BernoulliMathematician behind lift theory
streamlines · shockwave · compressibility · supersonic · subsonic · transonic · hypersonic · airfoil · stall · wake
troposphere
Lowest atmospheric layer
- stratosphereSecond atmospheric layer up
- mesosphereAtmospheric layer, 50-85km up
- thermosphereHigh-temperature atmospheric zone
exosphere · barometric · ionosphere · airglow · airmass · convection · coriolis · jetstream
thrust
Forceful forward motion
- rocketPropulsion-driven spacecraft
- turbojetTurbine-powered aircraft propulsion
- ramjetVelocity-fed aircraft engine
scramjet · turbofan · nozzle · afterburner · combustion · propellant · air-breathing · compressor · turbine · inlet
aircraft
Airborne transportation vehicle
- altitudeMeasured height above reference
- airspeedAircraft's atmospheric velocity
- stabilityResistance to displacement
aileron · flaps · pitch · yaw · roll · maneuverability · soaring · glider · trim
NASA
Federal space exploration bureau
- simulationImitation of real processes
- instrumentationDesign of measuring devices
- high-altitudeElevated atmospheric position
aerophysicsgeophysics
Physics of planetary structure
oceanography · seismology · hydrodynamics · hydrostatics · astrophysics
aero, aerobics, aerodynamics, aeronautics, aeronautical, aeronaut, aerospace, aerobic, aerobatic