AFJROTC // Science of Flight: Chapter 4
Lessons 1 – 3 Questions and Answers
Latest Version Graded A+
What does the term "lift" refer to in flight dynamics?
✔✔The upward force that supports an aircraft in the air
What is the relationship between weight and gravity in flight?
✔✔Weight is the force caused by gravity acting on the mass of an object
What is the definition of "thrust" in the context of flight?
✔✔Thrust is the forward force that propels an aircraft through the air
How does airfoil shape affect lift?
✔✔The curved shape of an airfoil causes air to move faster over the top surface, creating lower
pressure above and higher pressure below, generating lift
What is the center of gravity, and why is it important for flight?
1
,✔✔The center of gravity is the point where an aircraft's weight is considered to be concentrated,
and its position affects stability
What is Bernoulli's principle and how does it apply to flight?
✔✔Bernoulli's principle states that as the speed of a fluid increases, its pressure decreases. In
flight, this explains how the airfoil generates lift by creating pressure differences
What is the term used to describe the force that pulls an aircraft toward the Earth?
✔✔Weight
How is "aerodynamic drag" reduced in modern aircraft?
✔✔By designing smooth, streamlined surfaces that minimize resistance to airflow
What is the effect of increasing airspeed on lift?
✔✔Increasing airspeed increases the amount of lift generated by the airfoil
What is the importance of the angle of attack in generating lift?
2
, ✔✔The angle of attack is the angle between the wing's chord line and the direction of the
airflow, and it must be optimized to generate the most lift
What is the critical angle of attack?
✔✔The critical angle of attack is the angle at which airflow begins to separate from the wing
surface, leading to a stall
What causes an aircraft to stall?
✔✔A stall occurs when the angle of attack becomes too steep, causing a loss of lift due to
airflow separation
How does weight affect an aircraft's performance during flight?
✔✔Weight must be balanced with lift to maintain stable flight, and excess weight can lead to
increased fuel consumption and decreased performance
What does "lift-to-drag ratio" refer to?
✔✔The lift-to-drag ratio is the comparison between the lift an aircraft generates and the drag it
experiences, influencing its efficiency
3
Lessons 1 – 3 Questions and Answers
Latest Version Graded A+
What does the term "lift" refer to in flight dynamics?
✔✔The upward force that supports an aircraft in the air
What is the relationship between weight and gravity in flight?
✔✔Weight is the force caused by gravity acting on the mass of an object
What is the definition of "thrust" in the context of flight?
✔✔Thrust is the forward force that propels an aircraft through the air
How does airfoil shape affect lift?
✔✔The curved shape of an airfoil causes air to move faster over the top surface, creating lower
pressure above and higher pressure below, generating lift
What is the center of gravity, and why is it important for flight?
1
,✔✔The center of gravity is the point where an aircraft's weight is considered to be concentrated,
and its position affects stability
What is Bernoulli's principle and how does it apply to flight?
✔✔Bernoulli's principle states that as the speed of a fluid increases, its pressure decreases. In
flight, this explains how the airfoil generates lift by creating pressure differences
What is the term used to describe the force that pulls an aircraft toward the Earth?
✔✔Weight
How is "aerodynamic drag" reduced in modern aircraft?
✔✔By designing smooth, streamlined surfaces that minimize resistance to airflow
What is the effect of increasing airspeed on lift?
✔✔Increasing airspeed increases the amount of lift generated by the airfoil
What is the importance of the angle of attack in generating lift?
2
, ✔✔The angle of attack is the angle between the wing's chord line and the direction of the
airflow, and it must be optimized to generate the most lift
What is the critical angle of attack?
✔✔The critical angle of attack is the angle at which airflow begins to separate from the wing
surface, leading to a stall
What causes an aircraft to stall?
✔✔A stall occurs when the angle of attack becomes too steep, causing a loss of lift due to
airflow separation
How does weight affect an aircraft's performance during flight?
✔✔Weight must be balanced with lift to maintain stable flight, and excess weight can lead to
increased fuel consumption and decreased performance
What does "lift-to-drag ratio" refer to?
✔✔The lift-to-drag ratio is the comparison between the lift an aircraft generates and the drag it
experiences, influencing its efficiency
3
