Midterm
Due 06/23/2026
Fundamentals of Aerodynamics
EAS-4101/EML-6910
Summer 2026
1.4 Consider an infinitely thin flat plate with a 1 m chord at an angle of
attack of 10∘ in a supersonic flow. The pressure and shear stress
distributions on the upper and lower surfaces are given by pu=4 ×10 4 ¿, and
−0.2
τ l =731 x , respectively, where x is the distance from the leading edge in
meters and p and τ are in newtons per square meter. Calculate the normal
and axial forces, the lift and drag, moments about the leading edge, and
moments about the quarter chord, all per unit span. Also, calculate the
location of the center of pressure.
Hints: This is a chapter 1 problem where you don't need apply anything from
later viscid flow sections. You need only accept the formulas for the upper
and lower pressure and shear stress which are given as a function of x
where x is the distance along the from the lead edge. Therefore, you only
need to integrate and recall that pressure always acts perpendicular to the
surface and shear stress always acts tangential to the surface.
1.8 The shock waves on a vehicle in supersonic flight cause a component of
drag called supersonic wave drag D w . Define the wave-drag coefficient as
C D ,w =D w /q∞ S , where S is a suitable reference area for the body. In
supersonic flight, the flow is governed in part by its thermodynamic
properties, given by the specific heats at constant pressure c p and at
constant volume c v . Define the ratio c p /c v ≡ γ . Using Buckingham's pi
theorem, show that C D ,w =f ( M ∞ , γ ) . Neglect the influence of friction.
Hint:
Dw =f 1 ( ρ∞ , V ∞ , c , a ∞ , c p , c v ) K=4 (mass, length, time, degrees)
1.11 A U-tube mercury manometer is used to measure the pressure at a
point on the wing of a wind-tunnel model. One side of the manometer is
connected to the model, and the other side is open to the atmosphere.
Atmospheric pressure and the density of liquid mercury are 1.01 ×105 N /m2
and 1.36 ×10 4 kg /m3, respectively. When the displacement of the two columns
of mercury is 20 cm, with the high column on the model side, what is the
pressure on the wing?
3.4 Consider a low-speed open-circuit subsonic wind tunnel with an inlet-to-
throat area ratio of 12. The tunnel is turned on, and the pressure difference
between the inlet (the settling chamber) and the test section is read as a
height difference of 10 cm on a U-tube mercury manometer. (The density of
liquid mercury is 1.36 ×10 4 kg /m3.) Calculate the velocity of the air in the test
section.
3.5 Assume that a Pitot tube is inserted into the test-section flow of the wind
tunnel in Problem 3.4. The tunnel test section is completely sealed from the
outside ambient pressure. Calculate the pressure measured by the Pitot
tube, assuming the static pressure at the tunnel inlet is atmospheric.
3.7 At a given point on the surface of the wing of the airplane in Problem
3.6, the flow velocity is 130 m/ s. Calculate the pressure coefficient at this
point. In problem 3.6 the airplane velocity was found to be 98.8 m/s.
3.15 Consider the nonlifting flow over a circular cylinder. Derive an
expression for the pressure coefficient at an arbitrary point ( r , θ ) in this
flow, and show that it reduces to Equation (3.101) on the surface of the
cylinder.
2
C p=1−4 sin θ
(3.101)
Hint: Start with equation 3.91 on page 260.