nimtz
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 5, 2001
- Posts
- 1,442
Okay I understand that as you pass Critical Mach the center of lift shifts aft, because the first appearence of a shockwave occurs. What I'm not understanding is exactly why? Every book I've read basically says 'the shock wave on the upper surface upsets the lift distribution chordwise.' This statement doesn't answer the why part of the equation to me.
Now I understand the compressibility affects associated with shockwaves in terms of the drag coefficent. But it seems to me that where the air is supersonic, it has the greatest speed thus lowest pressure. Therefore why wouldn't the center of lift be located where the air is supersonic? In other words if the shockwave is located just aft of the leading edge, shouldn't there still be lift produced at the leading edge. Why can you not have a center of lift ahead of a shockwave?
Sorry if its confusing question. I have no formal training in this stuff, so I'm largely reteaching myself what I taught myself a few years ago.
Now I understand the compressibility affects associated with shockwaves in terms of the drag coefficent. But it seems to me that where the air is supersonic, it has the greatest speed thus lowest pressure. Therefore why wouldn't the center of lift be located where the air is supersonic? In other words if the shockwave is located just aft of the leading edge, shouldn't there still be lift produced at the leading edge. Why can you not have a center of lift ahead of a shockwave?
Sorry if its confusing question. I have no formal training in this stuff, so I'm largely reteaching myself what I taught myself a few years ago.