What does airfoil mean?

Definitions for airfoil
ˈɛərˌfɔɪlair·foil

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word airfoil.

Princeton's WordNet

  1. airfoil, aerofoil, control surface, surfacenoun

    a device that provides reactive force when in motion relative to the surrounding air; can lift or control a plane in flight

Wiktionary

  1. airfoilnoun

    A structure shaped to produce lift when moving in air.

  2. airfoilnoun

    A wing of an aircraft.

Wikipedia

  1. Airfoil

    An airfoil (American English) or aerofoil (British English) is the cross-sectional shape of a wing, blade (of a propeller, rotor, or turbine), or sail (as seen in cross-section). An airfoil-shaped body moving through a fluid produces an aerodynamic force. The component of this force perpendicular to the direction of motion is called lift. The component parallel to the direction of motion is called drag. Subsonic flight airfoils have a characteristic shape with a rounded leading edge, followed by a sharp trailing edge, often with a symmetric curvature of upper and lower surfaces. Foils of similar function designed with water as the working fluid are called hydrofoils. The lift on an airfoil is primarily the result of its angle of attack. When oriented at a suitable angle, the airfoil deflects the oncoming air (for fixed-wing aircraft, a downward force), resulting in a force on the airfoil in the direction opposite to the deflection. This force is known as aerodynamic force and can be resolved into two components: lift and drag. Most foil shapes require a positive angle of attack to generate lift, but cambered airfoils can generate lift at zero angle of attack. This "turning" of the air in the vicinity of the airfoil creates curved streamlines, resulting in lower pressure on one side and higher pressure on the other. This pressure difference is accompanied by a velocity difference, via Bernoulli's principle, so the resulting flowfield about the airfoil has a higher average velocity on the upper surface than on the lower surface. The lift force can be related directly to the average top/bottom velocity difference without computing the pressure by using the concept of circulation and the Kutta–Joukowski theorem.

ChatGPT

  1. airfoil

    An airfoil is a shape of a wing, blade, or sail designed to utilize wind or air currents to generate lift or propulsion. It plays a crucial role in the flight of airplanes, helicopters, and other aircraft. The cross-sectional shape is aerodynamically engineered to control the distribution of pressure, and consequently, lift and drag characteristics for efficient flying or sailing.

Wikidata

  1. Airfoil

    An airfoil or aerofoil is the shape of a wing or blade or sail as seen in cross-section. An airfoil-shaped body moved through a fluid produces an aerodynamic force. The component of this force perpendicular to the direction of motion is called lift. The component parallel to the direction of motion is called drag. Subsonic flight airfoils have a characteristic shape with a rounded leading edge, followed by a sharp trailing edge, often with asymmetric camber. Foils of similar function designed with water as the working fluid are called hydrofoils. The lift on an airfoil is primarily the result of its angle of attack and shape. When oriented at a suitable angle, the airfoil deflects the oncoming air, resulting in a force on the airfoil in the direction opposite to the deflection. This force is known as aerodynamic force and can be resolved into two components: Lift and drag. Most foil shapes require a positive angle of attack to generate lift, but cambered airfoils can generate lift at zero angle of attack. This "turning" of the air in the vicinity of the airfoil creates curved streamlines which results in lower pressure on one side and higher pressure on the other. This pressure difference is accompanied by a velocity difference, via Bernoulli's principle, so the resulting flowfield about the airfoil has a higher average velocity on the upper surface than on the lower surface. The lift force can be related directly to the average top/bottom velocity difference without computing the pressure by using the concept of circulation and the Kutta-Joukowski theorem.

Editors Contribution

  1. airfoil

    A type of device.

    Aircraft have airfoil and they serve their purpose.


    Submitted by MaryC on March 12, 2020  

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Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of airfoil in Chaldean Numerology is: 5

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of airfoil in Pythagorean Numerology is: 7

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"airfoil." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 29 Mar. 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/airfoil>.

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