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Curved Wing in Airflow
Age 12 · Physics
A wing’s upper surface curves upward. Air moves faster over that curve than beneath, so the pressure above drops and the wing is pushed upward.
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In the picture
- The curved upper surface: the arched edge where air travels a longer path.
- A tightly spaced streamline above the wing: fast-moving air at lower pressure.
- The lower surface: the underside where air moves more slowly and pressure is higher.
- The larger upward arrow: the net upward force on the wing.
Examples
- A paper airplane glides farther when air flows over its curved wings.
- An airplane rises from the runway as air moves over its wings.
Key takeaways
- Faster air over a curved surface has lower pressure.
- Higher pressure below a wing pushes it upward.
Quiz: Curved Wing in Airflow (Age 12)
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What happens to air pressure when air moves faster over a curved surface?
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Which pressure difference pushes a wing upward?
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What happens to the air under the lower surface of a wing?
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