Incompressible Aerodynamics - Essay Example

It is indispensable for empirical approximation, mathematical analysis and also wind tunnel experimentation which enables scientists and researchers in their scientific basis for heavier than air objects in flight. Our study would cover how aerodynamics is used for the above purposes and the outcomes of the various experiments carried out by people who had a passion for flying.In close relation to aerodynamics is fluid dynamics and gas dynamics which applies to the various gases. External aerodynamics deals with the study of the flow of air that surrounds other solid objects.

Some examples of external aerodynamics are the lift and drag of an aircraft and the shock waves over the nose of a rocket or the airflow over a hard drive head. On the other hand, internal aerodynamics deals with the study of the airflow passing through objects that are solid. Some examples of internal aerodynamics include the flow of air through a jet engine or an air conditioning pipe. This environmental flow defines the first criterion of aerodynamics problems.The second criterion is the ratio of the speed of sound in relation to the problem’s characteristic flow speed.

For example, it is a subsonic problem when the speeds in the problem are much lesser than the speed of sound. It is transonic if the characteristic speed is more or less the same as the speed of sound and it is supersonic if the flow speed exceeds the speed of sound and it is hypersonic when the flow speed is exceedingly greater than the speed of sound. Quite often Aerodynamicists are in disagreement with each other about the precise definition of for hypersonic flow. The minimum range for Mach numbers involving hypersonic flow is from 3 to 12.

Aerodynamicists invariably make use of numbers between 5 and 8.The third classification criterion is the influence of viscosity in the flow. The effects of viscosity on the solution seem very negligible and hence can be considered as non- existent.