Flying is one of the most efficient and fastest modes of modern transport. However, many people may struggle to understand how such a heavy and massive object can fly. An airplane’s ability to fly is primarily due to two important physical principles: lift and drag.
How do an aeroplane’s wings create lift?
Aeroplane wings create lift following Bernoulli’s principle, which states that the pressure of a fluid decreases as its velocity increases. The wing of an aeroplane is designed with a curved shape that accelerates the air passing over it. The acceleration of the air causes the pressure to decrease, creating an area of low pressure on the top of the wing. At the same time, the air that passes under the wing is slowed down, creating a zone of high pressure on the lower part of the wing. The pressure difference between the two sides of the wing then creates an upward force called lift, which allows the aircraft to rise through the air.
Why does the plane have to reach a certain speed to take off?
As for the question of why the plane must reach a certain speed to take off, this is also related to lift. To create enough lift to support the weight of the aircraft, it needs to move at a certain speed. This is called take-off speed. When the plane reaches take-off speed, the wings create enough lift to carry the plane into the air. That’s why planes need runways that are long enough for them to accelerate before taking off. In short, a plane can fly when enough lift is generated by the wings and the take-off speed.