Airplanes have long been a source of wonder and awe, and part of the mystery is how they can stay in the air while a much heavier object, like a brick, will always fall to the ground when dropped. What part of an airplane makes it fly? To answer this question, we must look at a variety of components and related processes.
Gravity
First, we must understand gravity. Gravity is an invisible force that pulls things down toward the ground; however, on its own, it is not powerful enough to keep an airplane in the air for an extended period of time. Despite the plane's substantial weight, its wings generate lift that counteracts the pull of gravity and keeps the plane aloft.
Lift
According to mechanicbase, The amount of lift generated by an plane's wings depends on a variety of factors, including the shape, size, and angle at which the wings are positioned. As the wing is shaped like an airfoil, air flows over the top of it faster than it does under the wing due to the curvature and pressure differential, creating a low-pressure area above the wing and a high-pressure area underneath. This difference in pressure is what causes the lift that keeps an airplane in the sky. As it increases and decreases, the jet can climb and descend, respectively.
Engines
The engines are another important element contributing to an airplane's ability to fly. A jet engine works by taking in air through its inlet, compressing it, and then injecting fuel that is ignited by the spark plugs, creating a blast of hot gas, or exhaust. This blast is directed out of the back of the engine and produces thrust, which propels the plane forward. The faster the plane goes, the more lift is created as the angle of attack of the wing increases.
Flight Control Surfaces
Flight control surfaces, such as the ailerons, elevators, rudder, and flaps, play an important role in controlling the plane once in the air. As air passes over these surfaces, they can be moved or adjusted to alter the direction and position of the plane by creating additional lift, or drag. This can be seen in the form of banking or turning during cruising or a controlled descent while landing.
Now we know the basics of how an airplane is able to stay in the air. All the pieces must be working properly, in tandem with each other, for the plane to stay up in the sky. Gravity may be the main force pulling an airplane down, but the wings, engines, and flight control surfaces are all integral parts of an airplane as it soars through the heavens.
Content created and supplied by: jacobE (via Opera News )
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