levo

Projectile Motion and Fluid Mechanics

Lift, the Bernoulli effect and spin

  • 3 things to know
  • Component 1

Overview

Lift and the angle of attack on a discus, the Bernoulli effect, the inverted aerofoil on a racing car, how spin is imparted, the Magnus effect, and the flight and bounce of topspin, backspin and sidespin balls.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

How is spin put on a ball?

Key term

What is a lift force?

Key term

Define angle of attack.

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    What is a lift force?

    Model answer

    Lift is a force acting at right angles to the direction of airflow around a moving object. Lift can act upwards or downwards, depending on the object's shape and angle.

  2. 2

    Define angle of attack.

    Model answer

    The angle of attack is the tilt of an object, such as a discus, relative to the airflow meeting it.

  3. 3

    How does the angle of attack affect the lift on a discus?

    Model answer

    A larger angle of attack increases lift, up to an optimum. Beyond that point the airflow breaks away from the upper surface, drag rises sharply and lift is lost, called stalling.

  4. 4

    What is the Bernoulli effect?

    Model answer

    The Bernoulli effect is the fall in pressure where a fluid flows faster. Air moving faster over one surface of an object exerts less pressure there.

  5. 5

    Explain how the Bernoulli effect creates upward lift on a discus or javelin.

    Model answer

    The shape and angle of attack make air travel faster over the upper surface than the lower. Lower pressure above and higher pressure below create an upward lift force.

  6. 6

    Why does upward lift increase the distance of a discus throw?

    Model answer

    Upward lift partly counters weight, so the discus stays in the air for longer. More flight time lets the horizontal velocity carry it further.

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