Bernoulli's Principle: How Planes Fly | Fast Forward Teachable Moments

If you've ever wondered how planes fly, this video will help, as our experts explain Bernoulli's Principle.

Fast Forward is a property of GPB Education. Originally Aired in 2012

Give us a follow!

[adams]

This is a great quick video! I would like to point out a few common misconceptions that were stated in the video though. Using Bernoulli’s principle to explain lift in airfoils/planes is tough since it’s not 100% accurate since it applies mostly to a single streamline. The fluid particles typically don’t meet up on the other side (trailing edge) of the airfoil since the air on the top surface is traveling faster than the bottom. One last thing is that the pressure difference between the top and bottom doesn’t cause the plane to be sucked up. The upper surface pushes down while the lower surface pushes up. Since the lower surface has a greater pressure force it causes the net force upward and causes lift. Besides those misconceptions, thanks for making educational content!

[Usermwaoeuw]

bro this is litterly equal transit theory and is wrong

[fredrikkuvaas]

He said that the "lower" pressure sucks the plane up in the air, but this is wrong. It is the high pressure under the wing that pushes the aircraft upwards. Other than that, pretty good video

[tejasripradeep]

Wonderfully quick and simple. Thank you so much

[ENTJ]

This is why I love physics, small events that happen in our day-to-day life are translated in a way in which we can get a great invention.

[keerthik]

WOW! This was a good and informative video. I was excited to learn about the factors that contribute to lift. However, in my research of Aerodynamics by Babinsky and McLean, they suggest that the concept of Bernoulli’s Principle being the main contribution to lift is a misconception. They theorized that wing shape and deflection of airflow are more significant contributors. Nevertheless, I found the video to be an amazing breakdown of the complex theories of flight. Keep up the great work.

[hmabboud]

@0:35 Lower total pressure or dynamic pressure?

[yaglehoole]

People, DO NOT let your kids watch this video.
The charlatan is basically promoting the Equal Transit Time fallacy.

[aaroncoulter]

@GPB Education. You all need to fix this video. You’re explaining it incorrectly.

[k.chriscaldwell]

Wrong! Bernoulli's principles/formulas have NOTHING to do with lift generation by an airfoil/wing. Nothing.

Here is THE explanation of airfoil/wing generated lift.

As an airfoil/wing moves through air, a perfect (very strong) vacuum is generated just at its top back surface. This vacuum diverts and accelerates the air downward along the airfoil/wing’s angled backside. This diverted air creates a low pressure area above the airfoil/wing that pulls down, “scoops, ” and accelerates more of the air from above down and along the airfoil/wing’s backside.

All of the scooped up and accelerated air is then shot off and DOWN the airfoil/wing’s trailing edge. The opposite and counter action to this is lift: Opposite and equal reaction. In some videos of large planes landing, this action can be observed in condensation formed in the low pressure area above and to the rear of a plane's wings.

Therefore, lift is NEWTONIAN, not Bernoullian*. However, the low pressure formed as described does permit the use of mathematical approximations with Bernoulli formulas when designing airfoils/wings.

The more interesting aspect of airfoil/wing generated lift is that the vast majority of the energy expended comes from gravity itself.

*Remember as well, that Bernoulli deals with constricted flows of fluids.

[babyzette]

It is a mix of Bernoulli and Cuanda effect

[mitchgingras]

You've godda be kidding! Bernoulli's principal on aerodynamic lift, was debunked decades ago

[alexoman]

This is an incorrect and an uninformative video. So, at least the incorrect information is barely spoken, without details.

[ririshow]

Not so fast! Bernoulli's principle has long been considered as the only possible explanation for lift. Now some say this is wrong and suggest that Newton's principle is the right one. It is a divided topic.

[FlurpsIxoye]

Are we just completely ignoring the coanda effect?

[johnh]

Oh really?! How, then, do airplanes fly upside down without get sucked into to ground???

[sankareverything]

Hi 0:35 0:35 0:35 0:35 0:35 0:35 0:35 0:35