aerodynamics

American  

[air-oh-dahy-nam-iks] / ˌɛər oʊ daɪˈnæm ɪks /

noun

(used with a singular verb)

1. the branch of mechanics that deals with the motion of air and other gases and with the effects of such motion on bodies in the medium.

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aerodynamics British  

/ ˌɛərəʊdaɪˈnæmɪks /

noun

1. (functioning as singular) the study of the dynamics of gases, esp of the forces acting on a body passing through air Compare aerostatics

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aerodynamics Scientific  

/ âr′ō-dī-năm′ĭks /

1. The study of the movement of air and other gases. Aerodynamics includes the study of the interactions of air with moving objects, such as airplanes, and of the effects of moving air on stationary objects, such as buildings.

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aerodynamics Cultural  

1. The branch of science devoted to the study of the flow of gas es around solid objects. It is especially important in the design of cars and airplanes, which move through the air.

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Closer Look

The two primary forces in aerodynamics are lift and drag. Lift refers to (usually upward) forces perpendicular to the direction of motion of an object traveling through the air. For example, airplane wings are designed so that their movement through the air creates an area of low pressure above the wing and an area of high pressure beneath it; the pressure difference produces the lift needed for flight. This effect is typical of airfoil design. Drag forces are parallel and opposite to the object's direction of motion and are caused largely by friction. Large wings can create a significant amount of lift, but they do so with the expense of generating a great deal of drag. Spoilers that are extended on airplane wings upon the vehicle's landing exploit this tradeoff by making the wings capable of high lift even at low speeds; low landing speeds then still provide enough lift for a gentle touchdown. Aeronautical engineers need to take into account such factors as the speed and altitude at which their designs will fly (lower air pressures at high altitudes reduce both lift and drag) in order to optimally balance lift and drag in varying conditions.

Discover More

A vehicle that has been built to minimize friction with the air is said to be aerodynamically designed.

Other Word Forms

• aerodynamic adjective
• aerodynamical adjective
• aerodynamically adverb
• aerodynamicist noun

Etymology

Origin of aerodynamics

First recorded in 1830–40; aero- + dynamics

Example Sentences

The helmet is the most important bit of kit both for safety and aerodynamics - how quickly the slider can travel down the track.

From BBC

I speak, of course, of the, uh, rising Winter Olympic panic that male ski jumpers, hoping to improve aerodynamics and, um, lengthen their jumps, may be covertly:

From The Wall Street Journal

The reason anyone who hurls themselves off a mountain for a living might perform such a procedure is a matter of aerodynamics.

From The Wall Street Journal

The cars are also smaller and lighter, have less downforce and have 'active aerodynamics' - where both front and rear wings open on the straights to increase speed and the possibility for energy recovery.

From BBC

Teams will also be getting to grips with cars whose aerodynamics have changed fundamentally from last year.

From BBC

Related Words

• aeronautics
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