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OrSigma3957

Good Evening Alloprof,

Can you explain the four main forces during a flight?

Thanks!!

Katia K

Hi!

That’s an interesting question! :)

When an airplane is flying, four main forces act on it, and they’re always interacting:

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1. Lift ⬆️ : This is the upward force that makes the airplane rise. It’s created mainly by the wings, which are shaped so that air moves faster over the top than underneath. This difference in air pressure pushes the plane up.
2. Weight (Gravity) ⬇️ : This is the force caused by Earth’s gravity pulling the airplane toward the ground .To stay in the air, lift must be equal to or greater than weight.
3. Thrust ⬅️ : This is the forward force that makes the airplane move ahead. It comes from the engines pushing the plane forward.
4. Drag ➡️ : This is the resisting force that slows the airplane down. It happens because of air friction against the plane’s body and wings.

The balance of these forces determines what happens to the airplane:

• If lift > weight, the plane climbs.
• If weight > lift, it descends.
• If thrust > drag, the plane speeds up.
• If drag > thrust, the plane slows down.

Here are some very interesting videos that can help you better understand this subject :

• (7) The Four Forces of Flight (How Things Fly Demonstration) - YouTube
• (7) Four Forces of Flight - YouTube
• (7) The Four Forces Acting on an Airplane in Flight - YouTube
• (7) The 4 Forces of Flight | How Flight Works - YouTube
• (7) How do airplanes actually fly? - Raymond Adkins - YouTube

I hope I was able to help you! Feel free to ask us more questions if you have any!