How is lift generated on an airfoil? This animation illustrates the aerodynamic forces acting on a wing profile and lets you interactively adjust the angle of attack.
Interactive Animation: Forces on Airfoil
The animation shows the forces on an aircraft airfoil (Clark Y profile). The slider in the upper left allows you to continuously adjust the angle of attack between −10° and +20°. The force vectors update in real time, and the aircraft climbs or descends depending on the balance of forces. This is visible through the… Read More: Interactive Animation: Forces on Airfoil »