Airfoil is moving with a constant velocity with its top half in air and bottom half in water.
Yes, it is possible for an airfoil, partially submerged in water, to generate lift. You can design a profile to achieve it
How can one explain lift generation in this case with the help of circulation theory. In circulation theory, the trailing edge vortex is necessary to generate circulation around airfoil and hence lift. In this case, vortex can not be produced because of water-air interface so how lift is generated
Lift is generated by deviation of the fluid, that implies that a force is applied to it in a direction orthogonal to the flow speed, and then by reaction that the fluid applies the opposite force to the airfoil.
So as long as any object can deviate a flow it creates lift.
Of course it is the case of an airfoil partially submerged.
I think that you may be confusing circulation theory (which is compatible with the present case) and the lifting line trailing vortices analogy.
François Gallard,
How circulation theory is compatible with the present case?
In circulation theory, lift is proportional to circulation around airfoil and the circulation around airfoil is developed when the trailing edge vortex forms.
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Engineering
- Thermal Engineering
- Thermofluid
- Fluid Mechanics