Airfoil Lift & Streamlines

Aerospace Engineering

How It Works

Air flowing over a cambered airfoil experiences differential acceleration, with higher velocities and reduced static pressure across the upper suction surface compared to the lower surface. According to the Kutta-Joukowski theorem and circulation theory, the bound circulation Γ generated around the profile produces a net upward aerodynamic lift force perpendicular to the freestream velocity. The flow smoothly detaches at the sharp trailing edge in accordance with the Kutta condition.

Governing Equation
L′ = ρ∞ · V∞ · Γ , where Γ = ∮ v · ds