Forces of Flight - Thrust
Forces of Flight - Thrust
|
An aircraft can use propellers to make it go forwards. It speeds up along the runway. When it is going fast enough, it takes off. How does a propeller make the aircraft move forward? |
The engine turns the propeller. The propeller is specially shaped to push the air backwards. This results in a reaction force on the propeller that moves the aircraft forwards. (Swimmers move forwards through the water in a similar way, by pushing water backwards).
The force moving the aircraft forwards is called the thrust. How does a helicopter move forwards? |
| The helicopter's blades are like a propeller. They tilt forwards so
that the blades push the air backwards.
A jet aircraft can go faster than a propeller aircraft. Where does its thrust come from? |
 |
|
A jet engine burns fuel, like a piston engine. Hot exhaust gases are forced backwards at great speed. Pushing gases backwards makes the plane go forwards.
Try a related activity...
|
[ Flights of Inspiration | Your Own Flight | Forces of Flight ]
