Anderson-98101 book November 4, 2009 21:42

24 PA R T 1 Fundamental Principles

the freestream, far ahead of the body. We define a dimensional quantity called the
freestream dynamic pressure as
Dynamic pressure: q∞ ≡ 12 ρ∞ V∞
2

The dynamic pressure has the units of pressure (i.e., pounds per square foot
or newtons per square meter). In addition, let S be a reference area and l be a
reference length. The dimensionless force and moment coefficients are defined
as follows:
L
Lift coefficient: CL ≡
q∞ S
D
Drag coefficient: CD ≡
q∞ S
N
Normal force coefficient: CN ≡
q∞ S
A
Axial force coefficient: CA ≡
q∞ S
M
Moment coefficient: CM ≡
q∞ Sl
In the above coefficients, the reference area S and reference length l are chosen
to pertain to the given geometric body shape; for different shapes, S and l may be
different things. For example, for an airplane wing, S is the planform area, and l
is the mean chord length, as illustrated in Figure 1.21a. However, for a sphere,
S is the cross-sectional area, and l is the diameter, as shown in Figure 1.21b.

Figure 1.21 Some reference areas and lengths.