British Sign Language Glossaries of Curriculum Terms

BSL Environmental Science Glossary - Aerodynamics definition

Definition: Aerodynamics is the study of ways of improving how air, or gases, move across a range of surfaces and materials. For this reason, aircraft manufacturers and designers study wing shape and orientation. If the wings on a plane face forwards this would result in more air hitting the surface of the wing creating more resistance and noise, thereby slowing the plane down. If the wings face downwards the air flows over and under the wings more easily and there is less resistance and friction which enables the plane to fly more quickly. The same is true at the front of the plane - using a nose cone allows the air to pass more easily over the fuselage.

Another famous example of the study of aerodynamics is in the Olympic sport of sprint cycling. If the cyclist sits upright then the air hitting their chest will slow them down, but if they crouch down the amount of air resistance decreases and they will move more quickly. Add to this one of those helmets with a cone at the back and the amount of air resistance is further reduced. The same is true of what the cyclists wear - exposed skin leads to more wind resistance, which is why they wear long sleeves to allow the air to pass more smoothly around the body. All of these factors are studied to improve aerodynamics.