Aerodynamics for Dummies... please

[Rasori]

I'm doing a science project on aerodynamics... basic aerodynamics, because while I may be good at math, freshmen in high school don't know calculus. Do any of you have some sites that are really basic, or explain the mathematical stuff in some way I might be able to understand? Any help you have would be appreciated.

 

Thanks.

[Johnny5]

Do you know any calculus at all?

[Dave]

Aerodynamics is a bit tricky to analyse mathematically because you're going to have to use a lot of fluid dynamics. Your best bet is to compare things experimentally.

[Rasori]

Like I said, Johnny, I'm a freshman in high school. Anything I know beyond the curriculum is something I could self-teach myself. So no, I don't know calculus.

As for comparing things experimentally, I had plans to do just that as an out-of-school project. Stuff in my personal life prevented me from continuing that.

I don't need to really know aerodynamics after this, I just need to know enough to get a more specific theme and then make a powerpoint on it.

[Johnny5]

... I just need to know enough to get a more specific theme and then make a powerpoint on it.

 

 

Here is a link that looks promising: NASA article on aerodynamics

 

In the article you see two things come up, Newton's laws of motion, and air resistance. Explaining them in your powerpoint essay is a good idea, additionally, you should explain the concept of lift, and possibly include some information about propulsion systems. Choose parts of aerodynamics which seem most fascinating to someone who knows very little about aerodynamics. And remember to site the sources of your information.

 

Regards

[Guest woteva]

hello

i'm new to this site, and are also doing a project for school involving aero dynamics can anyone help

[YT2095]

you could try doing a search for "Laminar Flow" and "Reynolds number"

[TheGeek]

Like jonny4 said NASA.gov has a bunch of stuff that you can use. I am a sophmore and was in the team america rocketry challenge last year and i often went to the NASA site and read a couple books.

[calbiterol]

YT, you wouldn't happen to know any (inexpensive or library-available) texts available to contribute to basic aerodynamics knowledge, would you?

[TheGeek]

since our goal was to built a successful model rocket i read Flight dynamics principles by Cook, M. V.,Aerodynamics for engineers by Bertin, John J., and Handbook of model rocketry by Stine, G. Harry.