How Angle of Attack Impacts on the Amount of

Lift an Aerofoil Produces

Name: Andrew Xiang

Teacher: Mr Leeson
Date: 01/06/2012

Introduction
For many years humankind had tried to achieve flight coming up with many ideas and inventions. It
was only until 1903 that the Wright Brothers achieved the first aeroplane flight. There are two main
theories on how the wings of an aeroplane create lift. The popular one is Bernoullis principle.
Where the velocity of a fluid is high, the pressure on a surface over which it flows is low, and where
the velocity is low, this pressure is high.

The other theory is Newtonian lift. The angle of attack of the aerofoil pushes the air downward; the air
leaving the wing will have a higher downward velocity than it originally had. According to Newtons
third law, if there is a downward force, there is also an upward force, this force is lift.

Altering the angle of attack affects how well both of these types operate; an increased angle of attack
would result in a higher airflow beneath the wing, and according to Bernoullis principle create more
pressure and more lift. An increased angle of attack would also increase the amount of force pushing
on the so according to Newtons laws it would also create more lift. From these facts you can predict
that the higher the angle of attack, the higher the lift that will be produced.
2

Aim
The aim of this investigation was to experiment with how an aerofoils angle of attack changes the
upward force that it exerts and to see if the current theories on lift are true. This will be done by
setting up a wind tunnel and force sensor. The controlled variable was the angle of attack.
Apparatus

Aerofoil
Leaf blower
Force sensor
Retort Stand
Clamps
Laptop
2mm Screw
Protractor

Note: Laptop isnt in mid-air and is on the table.

Method
1. The aerofoil was attached to the force sensor with the 2mm screw and the angle of attack was
set to 0 using a protractor
2. The recording software was started and the leaf blower was turned on, the data was recorded
for 11 seconds and then the recording was paused and the leaf blower was turned off. This
was done three more times in order to compare with other results and to get an average.
3. The above step was repeated two more times incrementing the angle of attack by 5, when the
last piece of data was recorded the recording was stopped and then was exported.
Results
The data in the tables below was obtained from the data recording software.
st

0 Degrees 1 Run
Time s Newtons
0
0.1
0.2
-7.11E-15
0.3
-7.11E-15
0.4
-7.11E-15
0.5
-7.11E-15
0.6
-7.11E-15
0.7
-7.11E-15
0.8
-7.11E-15
0.9
-7.11E-15
1
-7.11E-15
1.1
-7.11E-15
1.2
-7.11E-15
1.3
-7.11E-15
1.4
-7.11E-15
1.5
-7.11E-15
1.6
-7.11E-15
1.7
-7.11E-15
1.8
-7.11E-15
1.9
-7.11E-15
2
-7.11E-15
2.1
0.05
2.2
0.09
2.3
0.13
2.4
0.2
2.5
0.3
2.6
0.33
2.7
0.34
2.8
0.36
2.9
0.4
3
0.37
3.1
0.35
3.2
0.33
3.3
0.31
3.4
0.29
3.5
0.29

nd

0 Degrees 2 Run
Time s Newtons
0
0.1
0.2
-0.03
0.3
-0.03
0.4
-0.03
0.5
-0.02
0.6
-0.02
0.7
-0.02
0.8
-0.02
0.9
-0.02
1
-0.03
1.1
-0.04
1.2
-0.04
1.3
-0.04
1.4
-0.04
1.5
-0.04
1.6
-0.03
1.7
-0.03
1.8
-0.02
1.9
0.08
2
0.2
2.1
0.25
2.2
0.41
2.3
0.58
2.4
0.67
2.5
0.71
2.6
0.79
2.7
0.7
2.8
0.68
2.9
0.71
3
0.63
3.1
0.56
3.2
0.74
3.3
0.81
3.4
0.72
3.5
0.89

rd

0 Degrees 3 Run
Time s Newtons
0
0.1
0.2
-0.02
0.3
-0.03
0.4
-0.03
0.5
-0.03
0.6
-0.03
0.7
-0.03
0.8
-0.03
0.9
-0.03
1
-0.03
1.1
-0.03
1.2
-0.03
1.3
-0.03
1.4
-0.03
1.5
-0.03
1.6
-0.03
1.7
-7.11E-15
1.8
0.07
1.9
0.12
2
0.22
2.1
0.33
2.2
0.47
2.3
0.59
2.4
0.63
2.5
0.62
2.6
0.68
2.7
0.62
2.8
0.61
2.9
0.71
3
0.77
3.1
0.65
3.2
0.75
3.3
0.76
3.4
0.75
3.5
0.83

3.6
3.7
3.8
3.9
4
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
4.5
4.6
4.7
4.8
4.9
5
5.1
5.2
5.3
5.4
5.5
5.6
5.7
5.8
5.9
6
6.1
6.2
6.3
6.4
6.5
6.6
6.7
6.8
6.9
7
7.1
7.2
7.3
7.4
7.5
7.6
7.7
7.8
7.9
8
8.1
8.2
8.3
8.4
8.5
8.6
8.7

0.27
0.37
0.43
0.44
0.45
0.51
0.61
0.73
0.87
0.99
1.13
1.15
1.2
1.1
1.04
0.97
0.94
0.86
0.96
1.06
0.94
0.92
1
1.03
1.06
1.2
1.24
1.18
1.08
1.08
1.02
1.05
1.06
1.15
1
1.05
1
0.96
0.96
1.08
1.16
1.17
1.16
1.09
1.05
0.88
0.75
0.71
0.64
0.52
0.51
0.53

3.6
3.7
3.8
3.9
4
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
4.5
4.6
4.7
4.8
4.9
5
5.1
5.2
5.3
5.4
5.5
5.6
5.7
5.8
5.9
6
6.1
6.2
6.3
6.4
6.5
6.6
6.7
6.8
6.9
7
7.1
7.2
7.3
7.4
7.5
7.6
7.7
7.8
7.9
8
8.1
8.2
8.3
8.4
8.5
8.6
8.7

0.97
0.87
0.84
0.84
0.78
0.75
0.72
0.71
0.78
0.77
0.9
0.98
0.94
0.91
0.81
0.79
0.81
0.9
0.92
1.07
1.05
1.02
0.9
0.89
0.86
0.88
0.81
0.81
0.83
0.83
0.72
0.71
0.84
0.77
0.77
0.8
0.82
0.67
0.75
0.71
0.74
0.74
0.81
0.72
0.73
0.72
0.67
0.56
0.47
0.36
0.29
0.23

3.6
3.7
3.8
3.9
4
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
4.5
4.6
4.7
4.8
4.9
5
5.1
5.2
5.3
5.4
5.5
5.6
5.7
5.8
5.9
6
6.1
6.2
6.3
6.4
6.5
6.6
6.7
6.8
6.9
7
7.1
7.2
7.3
7.4
7.5
7.6
7.7
7.8
7.9
8
8.1
8.2
8.3
8.4
8.5
8.6
8.7

0.69
0.68
0.63
0.5
0.47
0.71
0.65
0.7
0.74
0.72
0.76
0.77
0.74
0.78
0.83
0.85
0.81
0.72
0.78
0.75
0.57
0.7
0.8
0.75
0.81
1
1
1
1
0.84
0.81
0.69
0.62
0.49
0.57
0.53
0.45
0.38
0.51
0.44
0.33
0.38
0.42
0.3
0.22
0.22
0.19
0.16
0.14
0.16
0.18
0.17

8.8
8.9
9
9.1
9.2
9.3
9.4
9.5
9.6
9.7
9.8
9.9
10
10.1
10.2
10.3
10.4
10.5
10.6
10.7
10.8
10.9
11
11.1
11.2
11.3

0.48
0.47
0.51
0.51
0.47
0.43
0.45
0.43
0.41
0.41
0.42
0.4
0.39
0.39
0.4
0.41
0.4
0.38
0.38
0.39
0.39
0.38
0.37
0.38

st

5 Degrees 1 Run
Time s Newtons
0
0.1
0.2
0.01
0.3
0.01
0.4
0.01
0.5
0.01
0.6
0.01
0.7
0.01
0.8
0.01
0.9
0.01
1
0.01
1.1
0.01
1.2
0.01
1.3
0.02

8.8
8.9
9
9.1
9.2
9.3
9.4
9.5
9.6
9.7
9.8
9.9
10
10.1
10.2
10.3
10.4
10.5
10.6
10.7
10.8
10.9
11
11.1
11.2
11.3
11.4
11.5
11.6
11.7

0.31
0.35
0.38
0.3
0.29
0.18
0.13
0.11
0.13
0.14
0.16
0.16
0.12
0.14
0.12
0.1
0.08
0.09
0.07
0.08
0.07
0.05
0.05
0.06
0.05
0.04
0.06
0.07

nd

5 Degrees 2 Run
Time s Newtons
0
0.1
0.2
0.01
0.3
0.01
0.4
0.01
0.5
0.01
0.6
0.01
0.7
0.01
0.8
0.01
0.9
0.01
1
0.01
1.1
-7.11E-15
1.2
0.01
1.3
0.01

8.8
8.9
9
9.1
9.2
9.3
9.4
9.5
9.6
9.7
9.8
9.9
10
10.1
10.2
10.3
10.4
10.5
10.6
10.7
10.8
10.9
11
11.1
11.2
11.3
11.4
11.5

0.11
0.11
0.13
0.08
0.05
0.06
0.07
0.04
0.02
0.01
0.03
0.04
0.02
0.02
0.02
0.03
0.02
0.01
0.01
0.02
0.03
-7.11E-15
-0.01
-7.11E-15
0.01
-0.01

rd

5 Degrees 3 Run
Time s Newtons
0
0.1
0.2
0.01
0.3
-7.11E-15
0.4
-7.11E-15
0.5
-7.11E-15
0.6
-7.11E-15
0.7
-7.11E-15
0.8
-7.11E-15
0.9
-7.11E-15
1
-7.11E-15
1.1
-7.11E-15
1.2
-7.11E-15
1.3
0.01

1.4
1.5
1.6
1.7
1.8
1.9
2
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5
2.6
2.7
2.8
2.9
3
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
3.5
3.6
3.7
3.8
3.9
4
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
4.5
4.6
4.7
4.8
4.9
5
5.1
5.2
5.3
5.4
5.5
5.6
5.7
5.8
5.9
6

0.02
0.01
0.01
0.01
0.04
0.11
0.11
0.23
0.54
0.83
1.1
1.53
1.88
2
2.04
2.11
2.03
2.06
2.06
2.09
2.07
2
1.9
1.81
1.83
1.82
1.86
1.85
1.9
1.81
1.72
1.72
1.64
1.58
1.58
1.64
1.66
1.71
1.71
1.76
1.78
1.69
1.68
1.69
1.75
1.81
1.92

1.4
1.5
1.6
1.7
1.8
1.9
2
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5
2.6
2.7
2.8
2.9
3
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
3.5
3.6
3.7
3.8
3.9
4
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
4.5
4.6
4.7
4.8
4.9
5
5.1
5.2
5.3
5.4
5.5
5.6
5.7
5.8
5.9
6
6.1
6.2
6.3
6.4
6.5

0.01
0.01
0.01
0.07
0.21
0.3
0.42
0.57
0.71
0.75
0.87
0.97
1.01
0.97
0.97
0.98
0.92
0.92
1.06
1.13
1.17
1.14
1.16
1.11
1.09
1.14
1.21
1.22
1.27
1.27
1.23
1.08
1.11
1.09
1.06
1.06
1.3
1.34
1.24
1.41
1.43
1.44
1.53
1.67
1.65
1.72
1.7
1.59
1.57
1.4
1.37
1.53

1.4
1.5
1.6
1.7
1.8
1.9
2
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5
2.6
2.7
2.8
2.9
3
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
3.5
3.6
3.7
3.8
3.9
4
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
4.5
4.6
4.7
4.8
4.9
5
5.1
5.2
5.3
5.4
5.5
5.6
5.7
5.8
5.9
6
6.1
6.2
6.3
6.4
6.5

0.05
0.14
0.17
0.22
0.33
0.51
0.6
0.77
1.03
1.18
1.2
1.28
1.32
1.29
1.35
1.37
1.32
1.38
1.36
1.33
1.28
1.34
1.24
1.33
1.26
1.33
1.3
1.3
1.09
1.18
1.1
1.21
1.2
1.27
1.29
1.38
1.19
1.34
1.38
1.35
1.26
1.43
1.35
1.41
1.41
1.53
1.42
1.51
1.5
1.4
1.33
1.29

6.6
6.7
6.8
6.9
7
7.1
7.2
7.3
7.4
7.5
7.6
7.7
7.8
7.9
8
8.1
8.2
8.3
8.4
8.5
8.6
8.7
8.8
8.9
9
9.1
9.2
9.3
9.4
9.5
9.6
9.7
9.8
9.9
10
10.1
10.2
10.3
10.4
10.5
10.6
10.7
10.8
10.9

1.58
1.7
1.91
1.94
1.76
1.74
1.63
1.55
1.38
1.29
1.18
1.09
0.99
0.99
1.05
1.11
1.14
1.11
1.09
1.06
1.02
0.95
0.94
0.97
0.96
0.94
0.92
0.94
0.94
0.92
0.9
0.89
0.9
0.89
0.88
0.89
0.89
0.88
0.88
0.89
0.88
0.87

6.6
6.7
6.8
6.9
7
7.1
7.2
7.3
7.4
7.5
7.6
7.7
7.8
7.9
8
8.1
8.2
8.3
8.4
8.5
8.6
8.7
8.8
8.9
9
9.1
9.2
9.3
9.4
9.5
9.6
9.7
9.8
9.9
10
10.1
10.2
10.3
10.4
10.5
10.6
10.7
10.8
10.9

1.12
0.9
0.91
0.84
0.77
0.69
0.75
0.68
0.61
0.63
0.62
0.57
0.51
0.47
0.41
0.42
0.43
0.43
0.41
0.42
0.41
0.35
0.33
0.33
0.32
0.29
0.3
0.29
0.3
0.3
0.29
0.29
0.29
0.29
0.28
0.26
0.26
0.26
0.25
0.25
0.25
0.25

The first runs data was cut off at six seconds as the data recorded was abnormal and didnt match the
rest of the data. Before six seconds, the data is fine. The lack of data was also accounted for in the
averaging.
st

10 Degrees 1 Run
Time s Newtons

nd

10 Degrees 2 Run
Time s Newtons

rd

10 Degrees 3 Run
Time s Newtons

0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
1
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
1.6
1.7
1.8
1.9
2
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5
2.6
2.7
2.8
2.9
3
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
3.5
3.6
3.7
3.8
3.9
4
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
4.5
4.6
4.7
4.8
4.9
5
5.1

0.04
0.04
0.04
0.04
0.04
0.05
0.05
0.05
0.05
0.05
0.05
0.05
0.05
0.05
0.18
0.28
0.47
0.72
1.01
1.1
1.39
1.56
1.51
1.65
1.71
1.8
1.78
1.91
1.82
1.93
1.78
1.81
1.78
1.83
1.87
1.9
2.04
2.1
2.13
2.06
2
1.88
1.93
1.85
1.87
1.99
2.03
2.12
2.14
2.17

0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
1
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
1.6
1.7
1.8
1.9
2
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5
2.6
2.7
2.8
2.9
3
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
3.5
3.6
3.7
3.8
3.9
4
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
4.5
4.6
4.7
4.8
4.9
5
5.1

-0.04
-0.04
-0.04
-0.04
-0.04
-0.04
-0.04
-0.04
-0.04
-0.04
-0.04
-0.04
-0.05
-0.05
-0.06
0.01
0.05
0.25
0.4
0.62
0.78
1.03
1.08
1.2
1.31
1.42
1.43
1.48
1.5
1.51
1.47
1.5
1.42
1.46
1.42
1.53
1.66
1.66
1.67
1.65
1.63
1.44
1.61
1.64
1.52
1.65
1.55
1.56
1.47
1.54

0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
1
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
1.6
1.7
1.8
1.9
2
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5
2.6
2.7
2.8
2.9
3
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
3.5
3.6
3.7
3.8
3.9
4
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
4.5
4.6
4.7
4.8
4.9
5
5.1

0.02
0.02
0.02
0.02
0.01
0.01
0.01
0.01
0.02
0.02
0.02
0.02
0.02
0.02
0.02
0.03
0.11
0.26
0.43
0.68
0.92
1.05
1.23
1.32
1.56
1.66
1.84
1.91
1.97
2.02
2.01
2.04
2.02
2.11
1.99
2.11
2.17
2.12
2.18
2.19
2.08
2.2
2.16
2.26
2.24
2.33
2.22
2.37
2.26
2.3

5.2
5.3
5.4
5.5
5.6
5.7
5.8
5.9
6
6.1
6.2
6.3
6.4
6.5
6.6
6.7
6.8
6.9
7
7.1
7.2
7.3
7.4
7.5
7.6
7.7
7.8
7.9
8
8.1
8.2
8.3
8.4
8.5
8.6
8.7
8.8
8.9
9
9.1
9.2
9.3
9.4
9.5
9.6
9.7
9.8
9.9
10
10.1
10.2
10.3

2.05
2.03
1.88
2.03
1.99
2.08
2.09
2.09
1.96
2.06
1.96
1.94
1.95
2.04
1.97
2
2
1.95
1.77
1.72
1.72
1.56
1.51
1.49
1.43
1.3
1.25
1.16
1.11
0.98
0.91
0.9
0.92
0.88
0.88
0.89
0.87
0.84
0.83
0.83
0.83
0.81
0.8
0.78
0.78
0.75
0.77
0.77
0.74
0.72
0.72
0.72

5.2
5.3
5.4
5.5
5.6
5.7
5.8
5.9
6
6.1
6.2
6.3
6.4
6.5
6.6
6.7
6.8
6.9
7
7.1
7.2
7.3
7.4
7.5
7.6
7.7
7.8
7.9
8
8.1
8.2
8.3
8.4
8.5
8.6
8.7
8.8
8.9
9
9.1
9.2
9.3
9.4
9.5
9.6
9.7
9.8
9.9
10
10.1
10.2
10.3

1.44
1.53
1.47
1.55
1.7
1.54
1.61
1.7
1.73
1.71
1.78
1.88
1.8
1.78
1.79
1.8
1.74
1.71
1.85
1.58
1.5
1.36
1.26
0.99
1.03
0.99
0.9
0.85
0.76
0.7
0.63
0.52
0.41
0.19
0.04
-0.17
-0.28
-0.39
-0.38
-0.42
-0.45
-0.45
-0.42
-0.46
-0.45
-0.42
-0.43
-0.45
-0.44
-0.45
-0.45
-0.46

5.2
5.3
5.4
5.5
5.6
5.7
5.8
5.9
6
6.1
6.2
6.3
6.4
6.5
6.6
6.7
6.8
6.9
7
7.1
7.2
7.3
7.4
7.5
7.6
7.7
7.8
7.9
8
8.1
8.2
8.3
8.4
8.5
8.6
8.7
8.8
8.9
9
9.1
9.2
9.3
9.4
9.5
9.6
9.7
9.8
9.9
10
10.1
10.2
10.3

2.34
2.33
2.25
2.22
2.39
2.34
2.28
2.31
2.38
2.24
2.14
2.18
2.17
2.12
2.14
2.27
2.15
2.1
1.93
1.76
1.63
1.54
1.45
1.39
1.35
1.25
1.21
1.2
1.21
1.19
1.18
1.18
1.17
1.15
1.09
1.04
1.02
1.02
1.02
1.02
1.02
1.03
1.05
1.02
1.01
1.02
1.03
1.02
1
0.99
0.99
0.98

10

10.4
10.5
10.6
10.7
10.8
10.9
11
11.1
11.2

0 Degrees Average
Time s Newtons
0
0
0.1
0
0.2
-0.01667
0.3
-0.02
0.4
-0.02
0.5
-0.01667
0.6
-0.01667
0.7
-0.01667
0.8
-0.01667
0.9
-0.01667
1
-0.02
1.1
-0.02333
1.2
-0.02333
1.3
-0.02333
1.4
-0.02333
1.5
-0.02333
1.6
-0.02
1.7
-0.01
1.8
0.016667
1.9
0.066667
2
0.14
2.1
0.21
2.2
0.323333
2.3
0.433333
2.4
0.5
2.5
0.543333
2.6
0.6
2.7
0.553333
2.8
0.55
2.9
0.606667
3
0.59
3.1
0.52
3.2
0.606667
3.3
0.626667
3.4
0.586667
3.5
0.67

0.7
0.69
0.69
0.69
0.69
0.69
0.68

10.4
10.5
10.6
10.7
10.8

-0.48
-0.48
-0.47

5 Degrees Average
Time s Newtons
0
0
0.1
0
0.2
0.01
0.3
0.006667
0.4
0.006667
0.5
0.006667
0.6
0.006667
0.7
0.006667
0.8
0.006667
0.9
0.006667
1
0.006667
1.1
0.003333
1.2
0.006667
1.3
0.013333
1.4
0.026667
1.5
0.053333
1.6
0.063333
1.7
0.1
1.8
0.193333
1.9
0.306667
2
0.376667
2.1
0.523333
2.2
0.76
2.3
0.92
2.4
1.056667
2.5
1.26
2.6
1.403333
2.7
1.42
2.8
1.453333
2.9
1.486667
3
1.423333
3.1
1.453333
3.2
1.493333
3.3
1.516667
3.4
1.506667
3.5
1.493333

10.4
10.5
10.6
10.7
10.8
10.9
11
11.1
11.2
11.3
11.4
11.5

0.97
0.97
0.98
0.97
0.97
0.96
0.96
0.94
0.94
0.94

10 Degrees Average
Time s Newtons
0
0
0.1
0
0.2
0.006667
0.3
0.006667
0.4
0.006667
0.5
0.006667
0.6
0.003333
0.7
0.006667
0.8
0.006667
0.9
0.006667
1
0.01
1.1
0.01
1.2
0.01
1.3
0.01
1.4
0.006667
1.5
0.006667
1.6
0.046667
1.7
0.106667
1.8
0.21
1.9
0.41
2
0.613333
2.1
0.8
2.2
1.03
2.3
1.213333
2.4
1.273333
2.5
1.39
2.6
1.526667
2.7
1.626667
2.8
1.683333
2.9
1.766667
3
1.763333
3.1
1.82
3.2
1.753333
3.3
1.783333
3.4
1.74
3.5
1.8

11

3.6
3.7
3.8
3.9
4
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
4.5
4.6
4.7
4.8
4.9
5
5.1
5.2
5.3
5.4
5.5
5.6
5.7
5.8
5.9
6
6.1
6.2
6.3
6.4
6.5
6.6
6.7
6.8
6.9
7
7.1
7.2
7.3
7.4
7.5
7.6
7.7
7.8
7.9
8
8.1
8.2
8.3
8.4
8.5
8.6
8.7

0.643333
0.64
0.633333
0.593333
0.566667
0.656667
0.66
0.713333
0.796667
0.826667
0.93
0.966667
0.96
0.93
0.893333
0.87
0.853333
0.826667
0.886667
0.96
0.853333
0.88
0.9
0.89
0.91
1.026667
1.016667
0.996667
0.97
0.916667
0.85
0.816667
0.84
0.803333
0.78
0.793333
0.756667
0.67
0.74
0.743333
0.743333
0.763333
0.796667
0.703333
0.666667
0.606667
0.536667
0.476667
0.416667
0.346667
0.326667
0.31

3.6
3.7
3.8
3.9
4
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
4.5
4.6
4.7
4.8
4.9
5
5.1
5.2
5.3
5.4
5.5
5.6
5.7
5.8
5.9
6
6.1
6.2
6.3
6.4
6.5
6.6
6.7
6.8
6.9
7
7.1
7.2
7.3
7.4
7.5
7.6
7.7
7.8
7.9
8
8.1
8.2
8.3
8.4
8.5
8.6
8.7

1.433333
1.416667
1.393333
1.43
1.456667
1.456667
1.42
1.42
1.35
1.336667
1.316667
1.313333
1.31
1.36
1.383333
1.463333
1.443333
1.506667
1.49
1.52
1.52
1.59
1.603333
1.686667
1.68
1.55
1.535
1.4
1.35
1.41
1.35
1.3
1.41
1.39
1.265
1.215
1.19
1.115
0.995
0.96
0.9
0.83
0.75
0.73
0.73
0.765
0.785
0.77
0.75
0.74
0.715
0.65

3.6
3.7
3.8
3.9
4
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
4.5
4.6
4.7
4.8
4.9
5
5.1
5.2
5.3
5.4
5.5
5.6
5.7
5.8
5.9
6
6.1
6.2
6.3
6.4
6.5
6.6
6.7
6.8
6.9
7
7.1
7.2
7.3
7.4
7.5
7.6
7.7
7.8
7.9
8
8.1
8.2
8.3
8.4
8.5
8.6
8.7

1.76
1.846667
1.956667
1.96
1.993333
1.966667
1.903333
1.84
1.9
1.916667
1.876667
1.99
1.933333
2.016667
1.956667
2.003333
1.943333
1.963333
1.866667
1.933333
2.026667
1.986667
1.993333
2.033333
2.023333
2.003333
1.96
2
1.973333
1.98
1.966667
2.023333
1.963333
1.92
1.85
1.686667
1.616667
1.486667
1.406667
1.29
1.27
1.18
1.12
1.07
1.026667
0.956667
0.906667
0.866667
0.833333
0.74
0.67
0.586667

12

8.8
8.9
9
9.1
9.2
9.3
9.4
9.5
9.6
9.7
9.8
9.9
10
10.1
10.2
10.3
10.4
10.5
10.6
10.7
10.8
10.9
11
11.1
11.2
11.3
11.4
11.5
11.6
11.7

0.3
0.31
0.34
0.296667
0.27
0.223333
0.216667
0.193333
0.186667
0.186667
0.203333
0.2
0.176667
0.183333
0.18
0.18
0.166667
0.16
0.153333
0.163333
0.163333
0.143333
0.136667
0.146667
0.02
0.01
0.02
0.023333
0
0

8.8
8.9
9
9.1
9.2
9.3
9.4
9.5
9.6
9.7
9.8
9.9
10
10.1
10.2
10.3
10.4
10.5
10.6
10.7
10.8
10.9

0.635
0.65
0.64
0.615
0.61
0.615
0.62
0.61
0.595
0.59
0.595
0.59
0.58
0.575
0.575
0.57
0.565
0.57
0.565
0.56
0
0

8.8
8.9
9
9.1
9.2
9.3
9.4
9.5
9.6
9.7
9.8
9.9
10
10.1
10.2
10.3
10.4
10.5
10.6
10.7
10.8
10.9
11
11.1
11.2
11.3
11.4
11.5
11.6
11.7

0.536667
0.49
0.49
0.476667
0.466667
0.463333
0.476667
0.446667
0.446667
0.45
0.456667
0.446667
0.433333
0.42
0.42
0.413333
0.396667
0.393333
0.4
0.553333
0.553333
0.55
0.546667
0.313333
0.313333
0.313333
0
0
0
0

Average tables were obtained by averaging the sum of the number of newtons for each tenth of a
second. Also, the tables have blank spaces and data for after eleven seconds as the leaf blower and
sensor software were done manually and were affected by human error.
Data Analysis

0 Degrees All
1.5

Newtons

1
0 Degrees 1st Run
0.5

0 Degrees 2nd Run

0 Degrees 3rd Run

0
0
-0.5

10

15

Time (seconds)

13

These sorts of graph were made by graphing each run separately using excel and then merging them
together.
From this graph it could be seen that the graph rose steeply at the beginning and sloped down slowly
at the end. This was because when turning on the leaf blower it builds force quickly, though as the
leaf blower fan doesnt have some sort of brake, it takes a while before it stops spinning and pushing
the air.
The valleys and peaks in this graph and many others are probably a result of the wing vibrating as the
retort stand cannot completely stabilise the wing, the leaf blower being unable to provide a consistent
airflow or the leaf blower not being completely stabilised allowing the airflow to vary at different
angles.
The amount of newtons ranges from just below zero to 1.24 newtons. At the beginning of the graph
the Newtons measured are negative, suggesting that the sensor was not reset or that the airflow
initially pushed the aerofoil downwards.

0 Degrees Average
1.2
1
Newtons

0.8
0.6
0 Degrees Average

0.4
0.2
0
-0.2 0

5
10
Time (seconds)

15

The above graph shows the data that was obtained from the table of averages for the three tests for the
angle of attack of zero and has gained characteristics from the other graphs.
The data in this graph ranged up to 1.03 newtons.

5 Degrees All
2.5

Newtons

2
1.5

5 Degrees 1st Run

5 Degrees 2nd Run

0.5

5 Degrees 3rd Run

0
-0.5

5
10
Time (seconds)

15

14

For an angle of attack of 5 degrees, the results ranged up to 2.11 newtons. The data that was from the
first run may be inaccurate as the first run didnt match with the other results. In the second and third
runs, the results end with positive values suggesting that the screw holding the aerofoil in place was
tightened, this may have been caused by the leaf blower pointed at an angle or the wing not being
perfectly symmetrical; this is also the same with some of the other graphs.

5 Degrees Average
2
Newtons

1.5
1
5 Degrees Average

0.5
0
0

10

15

Time (seconds)

The data shown in this graph ranged up to 1.67 newtons. Like the other average graphs, it has gained
its characteristics from the other graphs.

Newtons

10 Degrees All
3
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
-0.5 0
-1

10 Degrees 1st Run

10 Degrees 2nd Run
10 Degrees 3rd Run
5

10

15

Time (seconds)

This graph shows data that ranged up to 2.38 newtons. The second run unlike the first and third runs
ends with negative values which suggests that the screw was loosened.

15

10 Degrees Average
2.5
Newtons

2
1.5
1

10 Degrees Average

0.5
0
0

10

15

Time (seconds)

This graph shows the averages of the other graphs for ten degrees, it has gained a peak at the end as
the duration of the second run was not as long as the others, this is what caused the peak. The data in
this graph ranged up to 2.03 newtons.

All Averages
2.5

Newtons

2
1.5

0 Degrees Average

5 Degrees Average

0.5

10 Degrees Average

0
-0.5

5
10
Time (seconds)

15

The above graph was created by merging all the average graphs together.
As can be shown from the above graph that compares the averages of each angle of attack; the amount
of newtons increases when the angle is increased.
The maximum newtons obtained from the average graphs also follow this pattern starting at 1.03
newtons at zero degrees and then increasing into 2.03 newtons at ten degrees.
Conclusion
From the data above visualised as graphs, it was concluded that overall, increasing the angle of attack
would result in an increased lift force.

16

References:
http://iopscience.iop.org/0031-9120/38/6/001/pdf/pe3_6_001.pdf
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/fluids/airfoil.html
http://mainland.cctt.org/istf2003/flight.asp

17

Criteria

High

Medium

Low

Not
Shown

1. Investigation report clearly explains aims, equipment set up and any

methods used. Diagrams well labelled.
2. Experiment has been adequately planned, with variables controlled and
assumptions stated.
3. Theoretical expectations of experimental results have been analysed and
clearly stated. (with force diagrams)
4. Experimental results have been presented clearly in tabular and graphical
formats. All graphs have a title, headings on each axis and units. Tables
have headings, borders and units.
5. Worded analysis of experimental results demonstrates an understanding of
forces acting on the aerofoil.
6. Understanding of experimental errors has been explored, with effect on
results examined.
7. Investigation conclusions have been clearly stated and link back to
experimental aims.
8. Investigation report is neatly presented in a professional manner, with
appropriate acknowledgements and references.

18