Group 4 Project: Bird Flight
Topic: Bird Flight
School: Antonine International School
Date: July 20, 2015
Subjects: Physics – Biology - Chemistry
Done By: Anthony Al Chaer, Jad Eid, & Ryan Bedran
Bird Flight
Explaining Flight:
The Physics of Bird Flight The Factors Affecting Bird Flight Biology of Bird Flight
Experimentation:
Velocity and Maneuvering Air Drag & Angular Momentum Work Calculations Error Calculation Theoretical Calculations
Conclusion
Bibliography
Explaining Flight
1.1: The Physics of Bird Flight: Components:
I. Drag: (Air Resistance) The force opposite to the force of the motion of an object through a fluid. (Fluid in this report refers to the medium …show more content…
Aspect Ratio and Angular Momentum:
Aspect ratios are usually considered between the length of the wings of the bird and the wing’s width. This factor determines how well the bird can perform during flight. This aspect ratio could affect many things:
High Aspect Ratio: Balance: Long narrow wings for example will add to the stability and balance of a bird. The best example of this would be a tightrope walker, the long pole that person holds adds to the balance of that person on the rope. Drag/ Air resistance: As stated before, the less the surface area the less the drag, therefore, a bird with long narrow wings allows the fluid an easier passage around the wings to the high/low pressure areas under and above the wing which helps reduce turbulence and thus decreasing resistance. Energy Use: The long narrow wings allow the bird to maintain its speed easily and thus prohibiting it from using all of its energy (Fat consumption).
Low Aspect Ratio: Energy Use: Higher energy use due to the loss of velocity during flight, which is caused by, increased edge area. (Short wide wings) Maneuverability: The low aspect ratio combined with different flight maneuvers allows the bird for more agility and easier …show more content…
As you can see, the surface area is included in the formula to find the drag against an object. So as area increases, drag increase. Shape: Affects the Drag coefficient in the equation, some values include:
Shape/Object Drag Coefficient
Bird 0.4
Dolphin 0.0036
Sphere 0.5
Bus 0.6-0.8
Thin Disk 1.1
Speed: Similar to surface it is also included in the equation and is directly proportional to Drag force. Fluid Density: Increased density means an increase in mass, which increases resistance to the object that is passing through it. Properties of the Fluid: Compressibility and Viscosity; as the object passes through a certain material the matter will be compressed such that the object may pass with ease. If it is non-compressible the air drag will increase thus denying the object maneuverability.
Factors Affecting Lift:
Object: Similar to drag, the objects shape and size all affect the lift. Obviously, mass is inversely proportional and surface area is directly proportional. Motion: Lift is dependent of the velocity of the fluid and how the object is inclined to
Topic: Bird Flight
School: Antonine International School
Date: July 20, 2015
Subjects: Physics – Biology - Chemistry
Done By: Anthony Al Chaer, Jad Eid, & Ryan Bedran
Bird Flight
Explaining Flight:
The Physics of Bird Flight The Factors Affecting Bird Flight Biology of Bird Flight
Experimentation:
Velocity and Maneuvering Air Drag & Angular Momentum Work Calculations Error Calculation Theoretical Calculations
Conclusion
Bibliography
Explaining Flight
1.1: The Physics of Bird Flight: Components:
I. Drag: (Air Resistance) The force opposite to the force of the motion of an object through a fluid. (Fluid in this report refers to the medium …show more content…
Aspect Ratio and Angular Momentum:
Aspect ratios are usually considered between the length of the wings of the bird and the wing’s width. This factor determines how well the bird can perform during flight. This aspect ratio could affect many things:
High Aspect Ratio: Balance: Long narrow wings for example will add to the stability and balance of a bird. The best example of this would be a tightrope walker, the long pole that person holds adds to the balance of that person on the rope. Drag/ Air resistance: As stated before, the less the surface area the less the drag, therefore, a bird with long narrow wings allows the fluid an easier passage around the wings to the high/low pressure areas under and above the wing which helps reduce turbulence and thus decreasing resistance. Energy Use: The long narrow wings allow the bird to maintain its speed easily and thus prohibiting it from using all of its energy (Fat consumption).
Low Aspect Ratio: Energy Use: Higher energy use due to the loss of velocity during flight, which is caused by, increased edge area. (Short wide wings) Maneuverability: The low aspect ratio combined with different flight maneuvers allows the bird for more agility and easier …show more content…
As you can see, the surface area is included in the formula to find the drag against an object. So as area increases, drag increase. Shape: Affects the Drag coefficient in the equation, some values include:
Shape/Object Drag Coefficient
Bird 0.4
Dolphin 0.0036
Sphere 0.5
Bus 0.6-0.8
Thin Disk 1.1
Speed: Similar to surface it is also included in the equation and is directly proportional to Drag force. Fluid Density: Increased density means an increase in mass, which increases resistance to the object that is passing through it. Properties of the Fluid: Compressibility and Viscosity; as the object passes through a certain material the matter will be compressed such that the object may pass with ease. If it is non-compressible the air drag will increase thus denying the object maneuverability.
Factors Affecting Lift:
Object: Similar to drag, the objects shape and size all affect the lift. Obviously, mass is inversely proportional and surface area is directly proportional. Motion: Lift is dependent of the velocity of the fluid and how the object is inclined to