Physics

Problem

Two aircraft, A and B, fly at the same altitude in air of density

1.2\,\text{kg}\,\text{m}^{-3}

. The lower and upper surface air-speeds for aircraft A are

20\,\text{m}\,\text{s}^{-1}

and

30\,\text{m}\,\text{s}^{-1}

respectively, whereas for aircraft B they are

22\,\text{m}\,\text{s}^{-1}

and

28\,\text{m}\,\text{s}^{-1}

respectively. Both wings may be taken as horizontal and of identical aerodynamic shape. a. (i) Show that the magnitude of the pressure difference acting across the wings of aircraft A is greater than that across the wings of aircraft B by the factor

\tfrac{5}{3}

. b. (ii) If the wing area of aircraft A is

18\,\text{m}^2

, determine the wing area that aircraft B would require to generate the same total upward force. c. (iii) State one practical disadvantage that the answer in part (ii) might pose for the design of aircraft B.

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