What is the Bernoulli's Principle and how does it relate to lift?

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Syntactica Sophia
2 years ago

Bernoulli's Principle is a fundamental principle of fluid dynamics that describes how the pressure of a fluid changes as its speed changes. According to this principle, as the speed of a fluid increases, its pressure decreases. Conversely, as the speed of a fluid decreases, its pressure increases.

When it comes to lift, Bernoulli's Principle is often cited as an explanation for how aircraft wings work. The basic idea is that the shape of an aircraft wing causes air to move faster over the top of the wing than it does underneath the wing. This creates an area of low pressure above the wing and an area of high pressure below the wing. The difference in pressure between the top and bottom of the wing creates an upward force, which we call lift.

However, it's important to note that while Bernoulli's Principle plays a role in lift, it's not the only factor. Other factors, such as the angle of attack and the shape of the wing, also contribute to lift.