Showing the Airflow in a Wind Tunnel

Areas of Science	Aerodynamics & Hydrodynamics
Difficulty
Time Required	Long (2-4 weeks)

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Abstract

A technique often used in wind tunnels is to introduce smoke in front of the airfoil that is being tested. The smoke comes from regularly-spaced point sources, and the wind flow in the tunnel spreads it out into parallel lines, called streamlines. The streamlines make it possible to visualize the airflow over the airfoil. When the lines continue smoothly over and past the airflow, they show that the flow remains laminar, and that the airfoil is creating very little drag. When the streamlines show more chaotic, turbulent flow, they indicate that the airfoil is creating more drag. You can do something similar with a wind tunnel by stretching thin strings across the flow path, above and below your airfoil test zone. Clip them in place so you can move them up and down to fit different airfoil shapes. Attach a ribbon (about 25 cm long) to each string. Use a stick attached to your airfoil to hold it while you place it in the flow path, between the ribbons. The ribbons will act like the smoke streamlines, so that you can visualize whether the flow over your airfoil is turbulent or laminar. Try different airfoil shapes and measure which have the most laminar and the most turbulent flow. (Parker, 2005, 18-19)

Bibliography

Parker, S., 2005. The Science of Air: Projects and Experiments with Air and Flight, Chicago, IL: Heinemann Library.

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MLA Style

Science Buddies Staff. "Showing the Airflow in a Wind Tunnel." Science Buddies, 28 July 2017, https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project-ideas/Aero_p026/aerodynamics-hydrodynamics/showing-the-airflow-in-a-wind-tunnel. Accessed 29 Sep. 2020.

APA Style

Science Buddies Staff. (2017, July 28). Showing the Airflow in a Wind Tunnel. Retrieved from https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project-ideas/Aero_p026/aerodynamics-hydrodynamics/showing-the-airflow-in-a-wind-tunnel

Last edit date: 2017-07-28

Experimental Procedure

For this science project you will need to develop your own experimental procedure. Use the information in the summary tab as a starting place. If you would like to discuss your ideas or need help troubleshooting, use the Ask An Expert forum. Our Experts won't do the work for you, but they will make suggestions and offer guidance if you come to them with specific questions.

If you want a Project Idea with full instructions, please pick one without an asterisk (*) at the end of the title.

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Showing the Airflow in a Wind Tunnel *

Abstract

Bibliography