This design means that air will travel faster over the top of section when compared to the bottom section. After all, the curved airfoil shape guides air downwards, thereby accelerating it.
The curvature on the top section of an airplane’s wings means air will travel faster over it when compared to the bottom section. In turn, the wings will produce more lift.Īs previously mentioned, an airfoil shape consists of a curved top and a flat bottom. An airfoil shape, however, allows air to travel over the top of an airplane’s wings slower than the bottom. How exactly does an airfoil shape produce lift? If an airplane’s wings have the same shape on both the top and bottom, air will travel over the respective areas at the same speed. As a result, they are able to stay in the air more easily. Airplanes that use an airfoil shape for their wings produce more lift than their counterparts that use an alternative shape. Propulsion is generated by an airplane’s engine or engines, whereas lift is generated by an airplane’s wings and body. Along with propulsion, lift is one of the acting forces that allows airplanes to move from one point to another. An airfoil shape means that the top of an airplane’s wings is curved, whereas the bottom is flat and uncurved.Īirplanes use an airfoil shape for their wings to produce lift. What Is an Airfoil?Īlso known as an aerofoil, an airfoil is a specific wing shape that’s characterized by a curved top and a flat bottom. To learn more about wing airfoil and why it’s used, keep reading. With their use of an airfoil shape, the wings of an airplane can provide greater lift, thereby minimizing the energy needed to keep the airplane in the air.
Known as an airfoil, it’s a common feature of nearly all commercial jets as well as propeller-driven airplanes. The wings of airplanes are designed in a specific shape to achieve the greatest amount of lift.