Formula Used:
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The Induced Angle of Attack is the angle between the local relative wind and the direction of freestream velocity. It represents the additional angle created by the induced flow field around an airfoil or wing.
The calculator uses the formula:
Where:
Explanation: The induced angle of attack is the difference between the geometric angle of attack (angle between chord line and freestream direction) and the effective angle of attack (angle between chord line and local relative wind).
Details: Understanding induced angle of attack is crucial in aerodynamics for analyzing wing performance, calculating induced drag, and predicting stall characteristics. It's particularly important in finite wing theory where three-dimensional effects are significant.
Tips: Enter both geometric angle of attack and effective angle of attack in radians. The calculator will compute the difference to find the induced angle of attack.
Q1: What causes induced angle of attack?
A: Induced angle of attack is caused by the downwash created by wingtip vortices in finite wings, which alters the local flow direction.
Q2: How does induced angle of attack affect aircraft performance?
A: It increases with lift coefficient and contributes to induced drag, reducing overall aerodynamic efficiency.
Q3: Is induced angle of attack the same for all wing sections?
A: No, it varies along the wing span, typically being greatest at the wingtips and smallest at the wing root.
Q4: How can induced angle of attack be reduced?
A: Through wing design features like winglets, increased aspect ratio, or taper ratio optimization.
Q5: Does induced angle of attack affect stall characteristics?
A: Yes, it can cause tip stall conditions and affect the overall stall progression along the wing.