Molecular Impact Theory for Dynamic Lift in Airfoils

Edwin Muendo

Abstract: Airplane wings are airfoil shaped and that is why they generate lift force. I set up an investigation to establish how they work. In my investigation, I carefully studied the symmetrical and cambered airfoils' shapes to check their contribution to their working principles. I found out that the airfoil's upper surface's slant makes air molecules collide with it with a lower force of impact compared to the lower surface where air molecules collide with it with a higher force of impact. I concluded that the difference between the molecular forces of impacts on the two surfaces is what generates lift force.

Keywords: Airfoil, Molecular force of impact, Lift force