theory of flight m3

atmosphere

envelope of air that surrounds the earth and rests upon its surface, is a mixture of gases and has mass weight and indefinite shape

78 percent

how many percent is nitrogen

21 percent

how many percent is oxygen

1 percent

how many percent are other gases like hydrogen, argon, and helium

aerodynamics

air in motion or the study of forces and motion in the air

aero

means air or aviation or aeronautics

dynamics

means power or force

troposphere

where weather occurs and temperature decreases with altitude, layer closest to earth’s surface, layer we inhabit and where all life on earth exists

8-15 km

how far is the troposphere

stratosphere

contains the ozone layer with increasing temperature, critical for air travel as commercial airplanes fly within this region

50 km

how far is the stratosphere

ozone layer

absorbs most of the incoming ultraviolet radiation from the sun and acts as a protective shield safeguarding life on earth from excessive uv radiation

mesosphere

coldest layer where temperature is up to -90 degrees where meteors burn up protecting earth from the impact of space debris, also aids in transmitting radio waves fro long-distance communication

85 km

how far is the mesosphere

thermosphere

hottest layer due to the absorption of high-energy solar radiation, where ionosphere exists and the northern and southern lights occur, essential for the operation of satellites and spacecraft

600 km

how far is the thermosphere

exosphere

outer boundary of earth’s atmosphere merging into space, has cosmic radiation meaning particles in the exosphere are full of kinetic energy, temperature reaches up to 980 degrees, like a vacuum

620 mi

how far is the exosphere

air is a fluid

air possesses the characteristics of fluids including the ability to flow, deform, and exert pressure

viscosity

property of fluid and air that causes it to resist flowing, the way molecules of the fluid tend to adhere or stick to each other

aerodynamic and lift

viscosity of air affects how it flows around the aircraft’s surfaces essential for generating lift and reducing drag

control surface effectiveness

control surface like ailerons, rudders, elevators that control an aircrafts altitude and direction

turbulence

air viscosity contributes to the development of this which can affect flight conditions

friction

critical factor in aviation influencing various aspects of aircraft performance, safety, and design

takeoff and landing performance

friction between the aircraft tires and runway surface for acceleration during takeoff and deccelaration during landing

control surfaces and maneuverability

effectiveness of control surfaces such as ailerons, elevators, and rudders and stability and control

aerodynamic drag

as aircraft moves through the air friction occurs between the air and the aircraft’s surface

skin friction drag

friction between air and aircraft’s surface

atmospheric pressure

directly affects the accuracy and function of several key instruments in an aircraft which rely on pressure changes to provide pilots with information about altitude, airspeed, and engine performance

density altitude

directly affects aircraft performance combines the effects of altitude, temperature, and atmospheric pressure to describe how an aircraft feels when flying through air

power

reduces in this when air becomes less dense because the engine takes in less air

thrust

reduces in this when air becomes less dense because a propeller is less efficient in thin air

lift

reduces in this when air becomes less dense because thin air exerts less force on the airfoils