FoilSim
Wing Specifications

Subject Areas: Physical Science, General Math
Grade Level: 9
National Standards:

Science

• Demonstrate an understanding of scientific inquiry.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship among motions and forces.

Mathematics

• Use tables and graphs as tools to interpret expressions, equations, and inequalities.

Technology

• Research Tools - Use content-specific tools, software and simulations (e.g., environmental probes, graphing calculators, exploratory environments, Web tools) to support learning and research.
• Problem-Solving and Decision-Making Tools - Routinely and efficiently use on-line information resources to meet needs for collaboration, research, publications, communications, and productivity.

Objectives:

After reading the explanation given below, use FoilSim to complete the activity to fulfill the specifications of a given airfoil (wing) and plot and interpret graphs.

FoilSim is an interactive simulation software package that examines the airflow around various shapes of airfoils. As you change parameters such as airspeed, altitude, angle of attack, thickness and curvature of the airfoil, and size of the wing area, the software calculates the lift. The package was created at the NASA Glenn Research Center.

FoilSim II is a Java applet program that executes inside the browser of your computer. It is available on the World Wide Web at http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/K-12/airplane/foil2.html. You can also download the program to run off-line.

Shown below is a screen shot from the program's controls and displays. You may change the values of the variables by using the slider or the input box on the left of the slider.

To use the slider:

1. Click the mouse pointer on the arrows at the ends of the slider.
2. Click the mouse pointer anywhere between the slider and the arrow.
3. Drag the slider with the mouse.

To use the input box:

Simply select the value in the input box, key in the new value, and press Enter or Tab when finished. The button on the slider will move corresponding to the value typed in the box.

Assessment:

You, or you and your partner(s), will be evaluated on the feasibility or accuracy of your answers.

Evaluation:

You will be able to use FoilSim to complete the activity, including creating plots and interpreting graphs, to demonstrate your ability to understand the relationships among an airfoil's lift and the variables on which it depends.

Submitted by:

Monroe Kennedy, Jr., Ph.D., Shaker Heights High School, Shaker Heights, Ohio