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Paper Airplanes: Basic theory |
Paper Airplanes: Basic theory |
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Force Balancing  For the initial phase of flight, immediately after launching, the airplane seems more as if it is flying instead of gliding. In fact, it can actually maintain level flight for a certain distance or even gain altitude. Why is this the case if paper airplanes are supposed to behave like gliders? The answer is, at the point of launch, you impart a certain amount of energy to the airplane. The harder the throw, the more energy is imparted. The airplane leaves your fingers at a higher speed than it would normally require to glide on it is own. The higher speed and energy level allow the airplane to generate extra lift to maintain level flight or to climb. This energy will eventually be used up to counteract drag, resulting from air resistance, and to attain a higher altitude if the airplane climbs. The airplane will slow down to a point where it begins to glide, and start trading altitude for speed. Where does lift come from? Paper airplane wings, although more layered towards the leading edge than the trailing edge, are still relatively flat when compared to the airfoil-shaped wings on conventional airplanes. Nevertheless, the same aerodynamic principles still apply where lift generation is concerned. As air approaches the wing is leading edge, at a small angle of attack, it divides at a point called the stagnation poing, which is a little below the front of the wing is leading edge. The air going over the top of the wing then progresses forward around the leading edge, where it separates from the wing because it is unable to adhere to the surface around the sharp edge. However, it is turned backward by the upper surface a short distance from the leading edge. The overall non-symmetrical flow pattern around the wing causes the air to get sucked down, and to accelerate over the top surface of the wing, so that it exits the trailing edge in a streamlined manner. The end result is that the air above the wing travels at a faster speed than the air below the wing. The faster moving air, above the wing, produces a lower air below. The difference in air pressure across the wing then produces a net upward force called lift, which keeps the airplane aloft. The greater the angle of attack, the greater is the amount of lift and drag being generated. However, there is a limit, which is not very much, and typically less than 10 degrees, where linear lift generation is possible. Beyond this limit, the air will suddenly separate from the upper wing surface completely and cause the wing to stall. When the wing stalls, total lift will be lost and the airplane crashes.  |
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