aerodynamics

[ air-oh-dahy-nam-iks ]

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. Compare aerostatics ( def 1 ).

aerodynamics

/ ˌɛərəʊdaɪˈnæmɪks /

noun

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

aerodynamics

/ 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.

aerodynamics

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.

Notes

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

Derived Forms

• ˌaerodyˈnamically, adverb
• ˌaerodyˈnamicist, noun
• ˌaerodyˈnamic, adjective

Other Words From

• aero·dy·namic aero·dy·nami·cal adjective
• aero·dy·nami·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of aerodynamics¹

First recorded in 1830–40; aero- + dynamics

A 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.

Example Sentences

This enabled the researchers to eliminate sources of contamination and get more reliable results, says Christian Kähler, a professor at the Institute of Fluid Mechanics and Aerodynamics at Universität der Bundeswehr München who co-authored the study.

From Time

The team’s aerodynamics experts would normally have been on the site of the wind tunnel, which is in the English town of Bedford, during the test.

From Fortune

Spoiler: it has something to do with the aerodynamics of the ball.

From The Daily Beast

Americans built a fighter, the P-51, with aerodynamics that seemed to defy the laws of physics.

From The Daily Beast

After all, aerodynamics and electrodynamics are just theories, too.

From The Daily Beast

He knew very little about the laws of aerodynamics, about stress and strain and factors of safety.

From Project Gutenberg

The development of a new forage harvester based on principles of aerodynamics uncovered by missile engineers is another example.

From Project Gutenberg

We had classes everyday on engines, aerodynamics, and air craft identification.

From Project Gutenberg

It was about this time that he began his experiments in "aerodynamics."

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• aeronautics
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