Flight is fundamentally governed by balancing four forces: lift (upward force from wings), weight (gravity), thrust (forward engine force), and drag (air resistance). Advanced propulsion relies on thermodynamics to maximize thrust, while structural materials focus on lightweight, high-strength composites and alloys to minimize weight Fundamental Principles of Flight
- Four Forces: To achieve flight, lift must exceed weight, and thrust must overcome drag.
- Aerodynamics: Wings (airfoils) generate lift by producing lower pressure on top and higher pressure below (Bernoullis Principle).
- Newtons Laws: Newton’s third law explains thrust (engine gas action/reaction) and lift (downwash/upwash).
- Control Surfaces: Ailerons (roll), elevators (pitch), and rudders (yaw) manage the aircraft’s attitude in the air.
Advanced Propulsion Systems
- Jet Engines (Turbojets/Turbofans): Use Brayton cycle thermodynamics to compress, burn, and expand air, producing high-speed exhaust.
- Scramjets: Designed for hypersonic flight, enabling combustion in supersonic airflow.
- Electric/Hybrid Propulsion: Emerging technology to reduce emissions and improve efficiency for small aircraft and urban air mobility.
Advanced Structural Materials
- Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymers (CFRP): Offer superior strength-to-weight ratios compared to traditional aluminum, reducing weight and fuel consumption.
- Titanium Alloys: Used in high-temperature, high-stress areas like engine components due to extreme heat resistance and strength.
- Smart Materials/Nanocomposites: Emerging materials that can change properties or self-repair, enhancing structural integrity and reducing maintenance.
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