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If so instructed by your teacher, print out a worksheet page for these problems.

Activity:

Open FoilSim and set the following conditions:

Speed = 100 mph

Altitude = 0 ft

Angle = 5 degrees

Thickness = 12.5 %

Camber = 5.0 %

Area = 1000 sq ft

As the altitude changes, examine the graphs of Surface Pressure seen on the Plotter View Panel.

On a piece of graph paper, sketch a view of the graphs seen on the Plotter View Panel as carefully and as accurately as possible.

Change the altitude. On the same piece of graph paper, sketch the new view seen on the Plotter View Panel.

Repeat this procedure three more times. Sketch each succeeding view on the same piece of graph paper carefully and accurately.

 
Plotter view panel

Using the procedures found at Getting a Little "Lift" out of Calculus - Part I created by Jim Zaborowski of Urbana High School, find the areas between the curves for each of the five sketches. This area is equal to the lift of the airfoil.

Compare the areas (lift) and the altitudes at which they were created. Make a reasonable observation about the results.