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Induced DragInduced drag is generated by the airflow circulation around the wing as it creates lift. The high pressure air beneath the wing joins the low pressure air above the wing at the trailing edge and wingtips. This causes a spiral or vortex which trails behind each wingtip whenever lift is being produced. These wingtip vortices have the effect of deflecting the airstream downward in the vicinity of the wing, creating an increase in downwash. Therefore, the wing operates in an average relative wind which is inclined downward and rearward near the wing. Because the lift produced by the wing is perpendicular to the relative wind, the lift is inclined aft by the same amount. The component of lift acting in a rearward direction is induced drag. As air pressure differential increases with an increase in angle of attack, stringer vortices form and infuced drag is increased. Since the wing usually is at a low angle of attack at high speed, and a high angle of attack at low speed, the relationship of induced drag to speed also can be plotted. |
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This page was last modified June 11, 2000 |
