NASA Logo - Web Link to NASA.gov Vertical Line

+ Text Only Site
+ Non-Flash Version
+ Contact Glenn

Go
ABOUT NASA NEWS AND EVENTS MULTIMEDIA MISSIONS MyNASA WORK FOR NASA

Beginner's Guide to Aerodynamics
Forces on an Airplane and Resulting Motion Activity
If so instructed by your teacher, print out a worksheet page for these problems.


Open the slide called Forces on an Airplane (with text). Study the labeled diagram and read the explanation. Next, open the slide called Simple Aircraft Motion and study the chart.

A. Answer the following questions.

(1) Which force on an airplane is always directed toward the center of the earth?

(2) Which force on an airplane can also be called a resistance force?

(3) Which force is responsible for moving the airplane forward?

(4) Which force do the wings of the airplane generate?

B. For questions 5-8, predict what effect the following flight conditions would have on the plane. (Would the plane rise, fall, slow, or accelerate?)

(5) Drag > Thrust

(6) Lift > Weight

(7) Thrust > Drag

(8) Weight > Lift


Related Pages:
Standards
Worksheet
Lesson Index
Aerodynamics Index

 

     First Gov Image


+ Inspector General Hotline
+ Equal Employment Opportunity Data Posted Pursuant to the No Fear Act
+ Budgets, Strategic Plans and Accountability Reports
+ Freedom of Information Act
+ The President's Management Agenda
+ NASA Privacy Statement, Disclaimer,
and Accessibility Certification

 

NASA Logo   
Editor: Tom Benson
NASA Official: Tom Benson
Last Updated: Thu, May 13 02:38:26 PM EDT 2021

+ Contact Glenn