Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

I need help with my prject. Im supposed to figure out how does wing design and force affect lift. Where could I put the wings so that I could measure lift, then put a spring scale somewhere to measure the force?
If you want a picture just ask me and ill send some to you on email

Historically, this has been done in a wind tunnel. The Wright brothers were among the first to come up with a simple wind tunnel balance system to measure these forces accurately. See http://www.first-to-fly.com/Adventure/W ... tunnel.htm and http://www.stkate.edu/physics/Flight/Wr ... elLab.html.

Do you have already have access to a wind tunnel?

yes i do have access to a wind tunnel its just that I need to know where i could put the wings so that I could measure lift and force with a spring scale.

Did you take a look at the picture of the Wright lift and drift balance in the first link? I think you will find most of everything you need in that link.

The Wright lift and drift measurement apparatus was a wire frame that they balanced with no wind. The spring scale and clinometer was used to measure the changes when wind was added.

okay thank you very much for your help