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Downwash Formula:
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Downwash is the change in direction of air deflected by the aerodynamic action of an airfoil, wing, or helicopter rotor blade in motion, as part of the process of producing lift. In elliptical lift distribution, the downwash is constant across the wingspan.
The calculator uses the downwash formula:
Where:
Explanation: The negative sign indicates that the downwash is directed downward. The formula shows that downwash is inversely proportional to wingspan and directly proportional to circulation at the origin.
Details: Accurate downwash calculation is crucial for understanding aerodynamic performance, induced drag estimation, and aircraft stability analysis. It helps in designing efficient wing configurations and predicting aircraft behavior.
Tips: Enter circulation at origin in m²/s and wingspan in meters. Both values must be valid (wingspan > 0).
Q1: Why is downwash important in aerodynamics?
A: Downwash creates induced drag and affects the effective angle of attack, which impacts overall aircraft performance and efficiency.
Q2: What is elliptical lift distribution?
A: Elliptical lift distribution produces the minimum induced drag for a given wingspan and is characterized by constant downwash across the wing.
Q3: How does wingspan affect downwash?
A: Larger wingspan reduces downwash for the same circulation, leading to lower induced drag and better aerodynamic efficiency.
Q4: What is circulation in aerodynamics?
A: Circulation is a measure of the vorticity in a fluid flow and is related to the lift generated by an airfoil through the Kutta-Joukowski theorem.
Q5: Can this formula be used for non-elliptical wings?
A: This specific formula is derived for elliptical lift distribution. Non-elliptical wings require more complex calculations to account for varying downwash across the span.