Title: Apply Newton's laws to aerodynamics.
Course: Aerospace Technology I (21055-I) > Section: Applying Aerodynamics

Application requires a demonstration of a design that meets the specific challenges of Newton’s laws of motion and how, if the design does not abide by Newton's laws of motion, the aircraft will be unable to fly.

From Newton’s second law:

F = ma

F = force of air on the airplane

m = mass of the airplane

a = acceleration of airplane

From Newton’s third law:

A plane is flying at constant speed. The direct pressure of the air pushing on the bottom of the wing keeps the plane in the air. As the wing pushes down on the air, the air pushes up with an equal and opposite force. Newton's third law states that forces always come in equal and opposite pairs. For instance, if you push on a wall, the wall pushes back with the same amount of force.

Therefore:

Action = Reaction

F = -F

Process/Skill Questions:

- What are Newton’s three laws, and how are they applied to aerodynamics?
- Which of Newton’s laws is addressed by thrust?
- What are some methods of creating force to initiate and sustain flight?