Velocity Effects Activity

If so instructed by your teacher, print out a worksheet page for these problems.

To answer the questions in this activity you will need to launch the application FOILSIM. Also open the slide called Velocity Effects (with text) and read the explanation on how velocity affects lift.

 

Open FoilSim and set initial conditions as follows:

Airspeed (velocity) = 50 km./hr.
Altitude = 5000 m.
Angle = 1 deg.
Thickness = 12.5
Camber = 12.5
Area = 5 sq. m.
  1. What is the lift? ____________
  2. Change the velocity (airspeed) as shown in Table 1 and record the associated lift for each velocity to complete the table.

    Velocity (km/h)

    Lift (Newtons)

    50

     

     
    100

     

     
    150

     

     
    200

     

     
    250

     

     
    300

     

     
    400

     

     
    Table 1

     
  3. Construct a graph of velocity's effect on lift with an Independent Variable(X) of velocity and a Dependent Variable(Y) of lift. Label each axis correctly to include units.

     

  4. What is the shape of the curve formed by this relationship?

     

  5. Write the equation for this relationship.

     

  6. What is the value of the constant in the equation for this set of conditions?
    C = _____________________________

     

  7. Interpolate the lift for a velocity of 350 km./hr. What is the lift? _____________

     

  8. Extrapolate the lift for a velocity of 500 km./hr. What is the lift? _____________

     

  9. Based on the relationship between lift and velocity, how would you increase the lift on a wing?

     

  10. Set the initial conditions provided in Problem 1 above and assume: g = 9.8 m./sec.2 at this elevation; total weight of airplane, cargo, and fuel = 5000 kg.; weight of airplane = 3000 kg. ; weight of cargo and fuel = 2000 kg. Use the equation for lift that you generated in Problem 5 to answer these questions:
    1. What is the lift in Newtons required to maintain altitude in these conditions?

      ___________________________________________

    2. What is the velocity that is required to maintain this lift?

      ___________________________________________

     

  11. One hour later all cargo is parachuted off the airplane and 200 kg. of fuel remains.
    1. What is the lift in Newtons now required to maintain altitude?

      ___________________________________________

    2. What is the velocity that is now required to generate the lift?

      ___________________________________________

 

 


Please send any comments to:
Curator: Dave Mazza
Responsible Official: Tom Benson