NPTEL Online Certification Courses

Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur

Fundamentals of Theoretical and

Experimental Aerodynamics
Assignment- Week 1
TYPE OF QUESTION: MCQ/MSQ
Number of questions: 15 Total mark: 15X1 = 15
[If necessary, round the calculation to two decimal places, otherwise use the largest
number of decimal places given in the question]
QUESTION 1:

At an altitude of 53 km from the earth’s surface, the mean temperature of the atmosphere
is 282.66 K. It is given that the temperature decreases at a constant rate of 4.5 K/km from
an altitude of 53 km to 79 km and remains constant from 79 km to 90 km and then
increases at a constant rate of 4 K/km till an altitude of 105 km. What is the approximate
mean temperature of the atmosphere at an altitude of 101 km?

(a) 225.66 K
(b) 165.66 K
(c) 209.66 K
(d) 443.66 K

Correct Answer: c

Solution

i) 53 km to 79 km
T53 = 282.66 K
T79 = T53 + (– α1 ) (79 – 53) = 282.66 – 4.5(79 – 53) = 165.66 K

ii) 79 km to 90 km
T79 = 165.66 K
T90 = T79 = 165.66 K

iii) 90 km to 101 km
T90 = 165.66 K
T95 = T90 + α2 (101 – 90) = 165.66 + 4(101 – 90) = 209.66 K
 QUESTION 2:

An aircraft is flying at an altitude of 6500 m from the sea level. What will be the
geopotential altitude of this aircraft? Assume that the radius of the Earth is 6340 km.

(a) 6364 𝑚
(b) 6493 𝑚
(c) 6578 𝑚
(d) 6279 𝑚

Correct Answer: b

Solution

Geopotential altitude is given by

𝑟
ℎ = ℎ𝑔 ( )
𝑟 + ℎ𝑔
Here, ℎ𝑔 is geometric altitude and 𝑟 is the radius of the Earth
6.34 × 106
ℎ = 6500 ( )
6.34 × 106 + 6500

ℎ = 6493.34 𝑚
QUESTION 3:

The value of gravitational acceleration 'g' at a height 'h g' above the earth's surface is g0/25
then (g0 = gravitational acceleration at sea level, r = radius of earth)

(a) ℎ𝑔 = 24𝑟
(b) ℎ𝑔 = 4𝑟
(c) ℎ𝑔 = 3𝑟
(d) ℎ𝑔 = 3𝑟/2

Correct Answer: b

Solution

Gravitational acceleration at a height ℎ above the sea level is given by

2
𝑟
𝑔 = 𝑔0 ( )
𝑟 + ℎ𝑔
2
𝑔0 𝑟
= 𝑔0 ( )
25 𝑟 + ℎ𝑔
 𝑟 1
( )=
𝑟 + ℎ𝑔 5

𝑟 + ℎ𝑔 = 5𝑟

ℎ𝑔 = 4𝑟

QUESTION 4:

An aircraft is flying at an altitude of 𝟏𝟎 𝒌𝒎 from sea level. How much will be the drop of the
pressure in percent at this altitude compared to sea level pressure? At sea level, the pressure
is 𝟏𝟎𝟏, 𝟑𝟐𝟓 𝑵/𝒎𝟐, the temperature is 𝟐𝟖𝟖. 𝟏𝟔 𝑲, and the lapse rate (𝒂) is 𝟔. 𝟓 𝑲/𝒌𝒎. The
pressure and temperature in the troposphere at two distinct elevations are related as –
𝒈
𝒑𝟏 𝑻𝟏 𝒂𝑹
=( )
𝒑𝟐 𝑻𝟐

where 𝒈 = 𝟗. 𝟖𝟏 𝒎/𝒔 𝟐 and 𝑹 = 𝟐𝟖𝟕. 𝟏𝟒 𝑱/𝒌𝒈 − 𝑲

(a) 52 %
(b) 74 %
(c) −15%
(d) 31%

Correct Answer: b

Solution

Temperature at 10 𝑘𝑚 altitude,

= 288.16 − 10 × 6.5 = 223.16 𝐾

𝑔
= 5.26 Therefore,
𝑎𝑅

101325 288.16 5.26

=( )
𝑝2 223.16

101325 101325
𝑝2 = 5.26 = = 26524.87 𝑁/𝑚 2
(1.29) 3.82

Percent decrease can be calculated as-

𝑝1 − 𝑝2 101325 − 26524.87
= × 100 = × 100 = 73.82 %
𝑝1 101325
 QUESTION 5:

Which option is correct for the following statements?

Statement 1: Static pressure is the normal force per unit area due to the time rate of
change of momentum of the fluid molecules.
Statement 2: The sum of static pressure and stagnation pressure is called dynamic
pressure.

(a) Statement 1 is true, and Statement 2 is false

(b) Statement 1 is false, and Statement 2 is true
(c) Both the statements are false
(d) Both the statements are true

Correct Answer: a

QUESTION 6:
What is the relationship between temperature and mean kinetic energy of molecules in a
gas?

(a) Temperature is inversely proportional to mean kinetic energy.

(b) Temperature is directly proportional to mean kinetic energy.
(c) Temperature and mean kinetic energy are unrelated.
(d) Temperature is proportional to square of the mean kinetic energy.

Correct Answer: b
QUESTION 7:

Which option is correct for the following statements?

Statement 1: It is preferable to reduce the drag to lift ratio of an aircraft in order to
maximize its aerodynamic efficiency.
Statement 2: Aerodynamic studies can be used to calculate the aerodynamic forces and
moments acting on the body.

(a) Statement 1 is true and Statement 2 is false

(b) Statement 1 is false, and Statement 2 is true
(c) Both the statements are false
(d) Both the statements are true

Correct Answer: d
QUESTION 8:

For a steady flow, path traversed by the fluid element is called___

(a) Streakline
(b) Pathline
(c) Streamline
(d) None of the above

Correct Answer: b and c

QUESTION 9:
An aircraft is cruising at a speed of 900 km/h at an altitude of 13000 m, with an air density of 0.27
kg/m3 . The weight and wing planform area of the plane are 5750 kN and 845 m2 , respectively. At
cruise, the drag coefficient is 0.015. The lift coefficient will be

(a) 0.21
(b) 0.41
(c) 0.81
(d) 0.51

Correct Answer: c

Solution
𝑉ꝏ = 900 𝑘𝑚/ℎ = 250 𝑚/𝑠
For cruising steady level flight
2𝐿 2𝑊 2(5750 × 103 )
𝐶𝐿 = = = = 0.81
𝜌∞ 𝑉∞2 𝑆 𝜌∞ 𝑉∞2 𝑆 (0.27) (250) 2 (845)

QUESTION 10:
For a symmetric airfoil, the lift coefficient vs angle of attack graph typically exhibits:

(a) A linear relationship, where lift coefficient increases linearly with angle of attack.
(b) An exponential growth, where lift coefficient rapidly increases with angle of attack.
(c) A curve with a peak, indicating an optimal angle of attack for maximum lift.
(d) A constant value, demonstrating that lift coefficient remains the same regardless of
angle of attack.

Correct Answer: c
 QUESTION 11:

Consider the flow over a wedge (𝟓° half wedge angle) at zero angle of attack. The
𝑵 𝒌𝒈
freestream pressure and density are 𝟏. 𝟎𝟏 × 𝟏𝟎𝟓 𝟐 and 𝟏. 𝟐𝟑 𝟑 , respectively (this
𝒎 𝒎
corresponds to standard sea-level conditions). The pressures on the upper and lower
surfaces of the wedge are constant with distance 𝑠 and equal to each other as given in the
figure below. The chord length of the wedge is 𝒄 = 𝟏. 𝟓 𝒎. The total drag force will be-

(a) 6146 N
(b) 9602 N
(c) 4801 N
(d) 1658 N

Correct Answer: b

Solution

Let subscript ‘u’ and ‘l’ denote upper and lower surfaces of the wedge.

Since the wedge is at zero angle of attack, then drag force (D’) = axial force (A’). Thus, the
drag can be obtained as
TE TE
𝐷′ = ∫ (−𝑝𝑢 sin 𝜃 + 𝜏𝑢 cos 𝜃) 𝑑𝑠𝑢 + ∫ (𝑝𝑙 sin 𝜃 + 𝜏𝑙 cos 𝜃) 𝑑𝑠𝑙
LE LE

Referring to Figure, recalling the sign convention for θ, and noting that integration over the
upper surface goes from s1 to s2 on the inclined surface and from s2 to s3 on the base,
whereas integration over the bottom surface goes from s1 to s4 on the inclined surface and
from s4 to s3 on the base, we find that the above integrals become
 TE 𝑠2
∫ − 𝑝𝑢 sin 𝜃𝑑𝑠𝑢 = ∫ − (1.31 × 105 )sin ( −5∘ )𝑑𝑠𝑢
LE 𝑠1
𝑠3
+ ∫ − (1.01 × 105 )sin 90∘ 𝑑𝑠𝑢
𝑠2
= 1.31 × 105 × sin (5∘ ) (𝑠2 − 𝑠1 ) − (1.01 × 105 ) × sin 90 ∘ (𝑠3 − 𝑠2 )
𝑐
= 1.31 × 105 × sin (5 ∘ ) ( ) − (1.01 × 105 ) × sin 90 ∘ (tan 5 ∘ )
cos 5 ∘
= 3936.99 𝑁
TE 𝑠4 𝑠3
∫ 𝑝𝑙 sin 𝜃𝑑𝑠𝑙 = ∫ (1.31 × 105 )sin (5∘ )𝑑𝑠 𝑙 + ∫ (1.01 × 105 )sin ( −90∘ )𝑑𝑠𝑙
LE 𝑠1 𝑠4
= 1.31 × 105 × sin (5∘ ) (𝑠
− 𝑠1 ) + (1.01 ×
2 105 ) ×
sin(−90∘ ) ( 𝑠3 − 𝑠2 )
𝑐
= 1.31 × 105 × sin ( 5∘ ) ( ) − (1.01 × 105 ) × sin 90∘ (tan 5∘ )
cos 5∘
= 3936 .99 𝑁
Note that the integrals of the pressure over the top and bottom surfaces, respectively, yield
the same contribution to the drag. This is due to the symmetry of the geometry and the
symmetric flow produced around it at 𝛼 = 0°.
TE 𝑠2
∫ 𝜏𝑢 cos 𝜃𝑑𝑠𝑢 = ∫ 500𝑠 −0.2 cos(−5∘ )𝑑𝑠𝑢
LE 𝑠1
𝑠20.8 − 𝑠10.8
= 500 × cos 5∘ ( )
0.8
𝑐 0.8 1
= 500 × cos 5∘ ( ) = 863.82 𝑁
cos 5∘ 0.8
TE 𝑠4
∫ 𝜏𝑙 cos 𝜃𝑑𝑠𝑙 = ∫ 500𝑠 −0.25 cos(−5∘ )𝑑𝑠𝑙
LE 𝑠1

∘
𝑠40.8 − 𝑠10.8
= 500 × cos 5 ( )
0.8
𝑐 0.8 1
= 500 × cos 5∘ ( ) = 863.82 𝑁
cos 5∘ 0.8
Again, it is no surprise that the shear stresses acting over the upper and lower surfaces,
respectively, give equal contributions to the drag; this is to be e xpected due to the symmetry
of the wedge geometry and 𝛼 = 0° flow. Adding the pressure integrals, and then adding the
shear stress integrals, we have for total drag
𝐷 ′ = 7873.98
⏟ + 1727.64
⏟ = 9601 .62 𝑁
pressure skin friction
drag drag
 QUESTION 12:

It is assumed that the standard sea-level temperature (𝑻∞ ) is 288 K, and the velocity of the
freestream (𝑽∞ ) is equal to the sonic speed (𝒂∞ ). If the sonic speed is given by, 𝑎 ∞ =
√𝛾𝑅𝑇∞ . what will be the drag coefficient value for the same problem as mentioned in
question 11? Value of 𝑹 = 𝟐𝟖𝟕 𝑱/𝒌𝒈 − 𝑲 and 𝜸 = 𝟏. 𝟒.

(a) 0.90
(b) 0.09
(c) 0.06
(d) 0.6

Correct Answer: b

Solution
The velocity of the freestream 𝑉∞ is twice the sonic speed, which is given by
𝑎 ∞ = √𝛾𝑅𝑇∞ = √(1.4)(287)(288) = 340.17m /s
𝑉∞ = 340.17 𝑚/𝑠
Thus, dynamic pressure (𝑞∞) and drag coefficient (𝐶𝑑 ) can be calculated as-
1
𝑞∞ = 𝜌∞ 𝑉∞2 = (0.5)(1.23)(340.17) 2 = 71165 .11 N/m2
2
𝑆 = 𝑐(1) = 1.5
𝐷 ′ 9601.62
𝑐𝑑 = = = 0.09
𝑞∞ 𝑆 71165 .11 × 1.5

QUESTION 13:

In the scenario of steady level (horizontal) flight of an airplane (as shown in Figure), where
weight(𝑾) acts vertically downward, lift (L) acts vertically upward perpendicular to the
relative wind 𝑽ꝏ, and fixed values include altitude, density(𝛒), and wing area (𝐒). What is
the expression for stalling velocity in terms of the maximum value of lift coefficient
(𝑪𝑳,𝒎𝒂𝒙 )?
 4𝑊
(a) 𝑉stall = √
𝜌∞𝑆𝐶𝐿,𝑚𝑎𝑥

5𝑊
(b) 𝑉stall = √
2𝜌∞𝑆𝐶𝐿,𝑚𝑎𝑥

𝑊
(c) 𝑉stall = √
𝜌∞𝑆𝐶𝐿,𝑚𝑎𝑥

2𝑊
(d) 𝑉stall = √
𝜌∞𝑆𝐶𝐿,𝑚𝑎𝑥

Correct Answer: d

Solution

In order to sustain the airplane in level flight,

𝐿=𝑊

The thrust T from the propulsive mechanism and the drag D are both parallel to 𝑉∞. For steady
(unaccelerated) flight,
𝑇 =𝐷
For an airplane of given shape, at given Mach and Reynolds number, lift coefficient, 𝐶𝐿 and
drag coefficient, 𝐶𝐷 are simply functions of the angle of attack, α of the airplane as given
below

𝐶𝐿 increases linearly with α until an angle of attack is reached when the wing stalls, the lift
coefficient reaches a peak value, and then drops off as α is further increased. The maximum
value of the lift coefficient is denoted by 𝐶𝐿,𝑚𝑎𝑥.

The lowest possible velocity at which the airplane can maintain steady level flight is the
stalling velocity, 𝑉𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑙𝑙 ; it is dictated by the value of 𝐶𝐿,𝑚𝑎𝑥

From the definition of lift coefficient, applied for the case of level flight where L = W, we have
𝐿 𝑊 2𝑊
𝐶𝐿 = = =
𝑞∞ 𝑆 𝑞∞ 𝑆 𝜌∞ 𝑉∞2 𝑆
Solving for 𝑉∞, we get

2𝑊
𝑉∞ = √
𝜌∞ 𝑆𝐶𝐿

In particular, 𝑉∞ will be the smallest when 𝐶𝐿 is a maximum. Hence, the stalling velocity for a
given airplane is determined by 𝐶𝐿,𝑚𝑎𝑥

2𝑊
𝑉stall = √
𝜌∞ 𝑆𝐶𝐿,𝑚𝑎𝑥

QUESTION 14:

The barometric pressure on a particular day is 750 mm of mercury. One limb of a U-tube
filled with 0.75 relative density alcohol is attached to a wall pressure port on a model wing
in a wind tunnel, while the other limb is open to the atmosphere. The first limb's liquid level
is 30 mm higher than the second limb's. Mercury has a relative density of 13.6, while water
has a density of 1000 kg/m3. The pressure differential between the model point and the
atmosphere, as well as the absolute pressure at that location, are respectively-

(a) 405 N/m2 and 97820 N/m2

(b) 121 N/m2 and 96861 N/m2
(c) 221 N/m2 and 99841 N/m2
(d) 501 N/m2 and 98850 N/m2

Correct Answer: c

Solution

The pressure difference supports a column of 0.03 m of the liquid. The pressure difference is

Δ𝑝 = 𝜌𝑔Δℎ = (0.75 × 1000) × 9.81 × 0.03 = 220.73 𝑁/𝑚 2

Since the liquid has been drawn higher in the limb connected to the model, the air pressure
in that limb must be lower than atmospheric pressure.

Barometric pressure = (13.6 × 1000) × 9.81 × 0.75 = 100062 𝑁/𝑚2

The absolute pressure at the point on the model = 100062 − 220.73 = 99841 .27 𝑁/𝑚2
QUESTION 15:

Which option is correct for the following statements?

Statement 1: In general, for a two-dimensional wing section, the ratio of lift to drag is
much larger than one.
Statement 2: Low turning of a flow across the length of an airfoil will produce large lift
compared to high turning of the flow (where in both cases the flow remains attached).

(a) Statement 1 is true and Statement 2 is false

(b) Statement 1 is false, and Statement 2 is true
(c) Both the statements are false
(d) Both the statements are true

Correct Answer: a