How do airplanes actually work?

A dream takes shape, The enduring mystery, An invisible ocean, Equal transit time theory, Real aerodynamic understanding, Centripetal acceleration, Medieval physics, Newton’s first law, Newton's second law, Newton's third law, Aerodynamics, When physics fights back, Failure of thrust and lift

The mystery of flight has has been at the center of human curiosity for centuries. From the sketches of Leonardo da Vinci to the pioneering experiments of the Wright brothers, mankind has tirelessly sought to master the skies. But even as aviation became a defining feature of modern civilization, the fundamental principles behind flight have often been misunderstood.

Despite the apparent ease with which an airplane lifts off the ground today, the science behind flight is anything but straightforward. The concept of lift, in particular, remains an area of debate and misconceptions, with numerous explanations (some accurate, others flawed) circulating in both scientific and educational circles.

How exactly does an airplane achieve lift? Why do so many explanations of this invisible force fall short? And what can past misconceptions teach us about the complexity of aerodynamics? Click through this gallery to find out.

A dream takes shape

A dream takes shape, The enduring mystery, An invisible ocean, Equal transit time theory, Real aerodynamic understanding, Centripetal acceleration, Medieval physics, Newton’s first law, Newton's second law, Newton's third law, Aerodynamics, When physics fights back, Failure of thrust and lift

Humans have dreamt of flying like birds for as long as history has been recorded. Even the myth of Icarus speaks of humanity’s early desire to soar into the sky. But true powered flight remained elusive until the 19th century, when advancements laid the groundwork for aviation.

The enduring mystery

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The way airplanes generate lift is often misunderstood. Many incorrect explanations continue to circulate, despite extensive research. Einstein’s errors provide insight into how complex the science of flight is, and his miscalculations highlight how even great minds can struggle with aerodynamics.

An invisible ocean

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Though we don’t usually think of air as a fluid, it behaves much like water. It has currents, pressure differences, and buoyancy. Airplanes must generate an upward force, called “lift,” in order to stay aloft—much like how boats float on water using buoyancy.

Equal transit time theory

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One widely spread but incorrect explanation for lift states that air molecules traveling over the curved upper surface of a wing must reach the back at the same time as those molecules going underneath. This theory wrongly assumes air must move faster on top to meet at the same time, which pulls the aircraft upward.

Real aerodynamic understanding

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To understand lift, we must observe how air interacts with a moving wing. As the wing advances, it influences the surrounding air and causes variations in velocity and pressure.

Centripetal acceleration

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The air moving over the wing undergoes centripetal acceleration, which is similar to how a car turns sharply on a curved road. This acceleration increases airspeed and reduces pressure on the wing’s upper surface, which enhances lift and draws even more air into the streamlined flow.

Speed

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The faster an airplane moves through the air, the greater the pressure difference across the wing. This increase amplifies the force of lift, ultimately allowing an aircraft to overcome gravity and take to the skies.

Medieval physics

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Interestingly, much of what we know about aerodynamics can be attributed to Sir Isaac Newton, the English mathematician and physicist who established the laws of classical mechanics in the 17th century.

Newton’s first law

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An object at rest stays at rest, and an object in motion stays in motion unless acted upon by an external force. This means that if no force interferes, an object will keep moving indefinitely or remain perfectly still.

Newton's second law

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The second of Newton’s laws says that a force applied to an object depends on both its mass and acceleration. A larger force is needed to move heavier objects, while lighter ones require less force to achieve the same acceleration.

Newton's third law

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For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. This means that when one object exerts a force on another, the second object pushes back with equal force in the opposite direction.

Aerodynamics

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Airplanes fly by pushing air downward with their wings (action), and in response the air pushes the wings upward (reaction), generating lift. Similarly, a jet engine expels gas backward, which in turn propels the plane forward.

When physics fights back

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Airplanes rely entirely on Newton’s laws to stay aloft, maneuver, and land safely. When these fundamental principles are disrupted (whether due to mechanical failure or poor aerodynamics) the results can be catastrophic. Understanding how these failures occur is crucial for aviation safety.

Failure of thrust and lift

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Newton’s second law states that force equals mass times acceleration. If an aircraft does not generate enough force (through insufficient thrust or engine failure), it will not accelerate or maintain altitude, resulting in an inability to sustain controlled flight.

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