Sci. 3-3

Bernoulli’s Principle

Pages 73-77

A.Bernoulli’s Principle- The speed of a moving fluid increases, its pressure decreases.

1)This causes an imbalance of pressure so movement will occur.

B. Wing design plays a role in helping planes fly. Wings are often shaped to allow airplanes to take advantage of decreased pressure in moving air.

1) The faster moving air above the wing exerts less pressure than the slower moving air below the wing. More pressure on bottom pushes the plane up.

C. Lift- an upward force that opposes the downward pull of gravity.

D. Lift on an airplane is determined by wing size and thrust (the forward force produced by the engine).

E. If you have more thrust (faster) than a smaller wing is necessary. Less thrust (slower)- a larger wing is necessary.

F.Drag opposes motion through fluids.

G.Turbulence- irregular or unpredictable flow of fluids (air)

1) Flaps can change the shape of wings to reduce turbulence and drag.