Aerodynamic Forces
Program Information
Series: NASA ConnectProgram: The Measurement of All Things: Tools of the Aeronautics Trade
Segment Number: 2 (Watch entire program)
Duration: 00:01:50
Year Produced: 1999
Description:
NASA Connect Segment that explains aerodynamic forces that affect aircraft performance and how these forces relate to each other.
NASA CONNECT™ is a series of Emmy®-award-winning, math-focused programs. Each program supports the national math, science, and technology standards and has three components that include (1) a 30-minute television broadcast; (2) a companion educator's guide; and (3) an online activity that further explores topics presented in the broadcast. These programs establish a connection between the math, science, and technology concepts taught in the classroom to those same concepts used everyday by NASA researchers.
For more information visit: http://connect.larc.nasa.gov/Transcript
Okay, Jennifer.
I now know the difference
between the U.S. standard system
and the metric system
and why my wrench
didn't fit the bolts.
But you seem to think
that my van has
an aerodynamic problem.
How can I measure that?
I'm glad you asked, Van.
Hey, guys, I have some friends
over at NASA Langley
Research Center
in Hampton, Virginia.
We're going to meet
some engineers,
and they use tools
and techniques every day
to measure aerodynamics.
Van, I'm going to call ahead
and get us cleared
for the research lab.
Is that all right?
Hi, is Mike there?
Van, I want you
to meet my friend.
This is Mike Logan.
Hi.
Hi, Van.
He works here at NASA
Langley Research Center
in Hampton, Virginia,
designing aircraft.
Wow.
So, Van,
Jennifer tells me
you're having a problem
with your vehicle.
Oh, I sure am.
I belong to a band
called The Noodles,
and we bought a van
to carry our equipment
to our performances,
but it keeps breaking down.
Jennifer says it might be
an aerodynamic problem?
Can you help?
Sure.
We here at the NASA
Langley Research Center
have been studying aerodynamics
since 1917.
Every aircraft is designed with
a specific purpose in mind,
like carrying people or cargo.
No matter what the purpose is,
all aircraft designs must
consider four basic forces:
lift, weight, thrust, and drag.
Lift is the force
that moves an airplane up
when the air flows
across the wings.
Weight is the effect of gravity
pulling an airplane down.
The force that pushes a plane
forward is called thrust.
It's usually created by
a plane's engine or propellers.
The last force, drag,
slows an airplane down
as air rubs against
the plane's surfaces.
It's a lot
like the friction created
when a tire skids
across the road.
We measure these forces
by creating scale models
of our designs
and then testing them
in wind tunnels.
At NASA Langley alone,
we test designs
in over 20 different
wind tunnels.
So, Van,
exactly what happens
when you take
your vehicle out?
(Van)
Well, every time we load the
equipment on top of the van,
it doesn't have enough power.
And every time we load our stuff
inside the van,
it helps a little,
but it's still a slug.
(Logan)
Aerodynamically speaking,
it sounds like you may be having
a problem with drag,
which is causing your engine
to overwork.
I think a wind tunnel test
might help us
to understand
your problem better.
I'll call a colleague of mine,
Hector Soto,
who designs measurement tools
used in wind tunnels,
and arrange
for the two for you to meet.
In the meantime,
I'll go back to my office
and work on some possible
solutions to your problem.