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In aerodynamics, the lift-to-drag ratio (or L/D ratio) is the lift generated by an aerodynamic body such as an aerofoil or aircraft, divided by the aerodynamic drag caused by moving through air. It describes the aerodynamic efficiency under given flight conditions. The L/D ratio for any given body will vary according to these flight conditions.
It is also useful to show the relationship between section lift coefficient and drag coefficient. The section lift coefficient is based on two-dimensional flow over a wing of infinite span and non-varying cross-section so the lift is independent of spanwise effects and is defined in terms of L ′ {\displaystyle L^{\prime }} , the lift force ...
Drag coefficients in fluids with Reynolds number approximately 10 4 [1] [2] Shapes are depicted with the same projected frontal area. In fluid dynamics, the drag coefficient (commonly denoted as: , or ) is a dimensionless quantity that is used to quantify the drag or resistance of an object in a fluid environment, such as air or water.
The significant aerodynamic properties of aircraft wings are summarised by two dimensionless quantities, the lift and drag coefficients C L and C D. Like other such aerodynamic quantities, they are functions only of the angle of attack α, the Reynolds number R e and the Mach number M. C L and C D can be plotted against α, or can be plotted ...
As stalling is due to wing loading and maximum lift coefficient at a given altitude and speed, this limits the turning radius due to maximum load factor. At Mach 0.85 and 0.7 lift coefficient, a wing loading of 50 lb/sq ft (240 kg/m 2 ) can reach a structural limit of 7.33 g up to 15,000 feet (4,600 m) and then decreases to 2.3 g at 40,000 feet ...
= (,,) drag coefficient equation. The aerodynamic efficiency has a maximum value, E max, respect to C L where the tangent line from the coordinate origin touches the drag coefficient equation plot. The drag coefficient, C D, can be decomposed in two ways. First typical decomposition separates pressure and friction effects:
The term drag area derives from aerodynamics, where it is the product of some reference area (such as cross-sectional area, total surface area, or similar) and the drag coefficient. In 2003, Car and Driver magazine adopted this metric as a more intuitive way to compare the aerodynamic efficiency of various automobiles.
Lift is proportional to the density of the air and approximately proportional to the square of the flow speed. Lift also depends on the size of the wing, being generally proportional to the wing's area projected in the lift direction. In calculations it is convenient to quantify lift in terms of a lift coefficient based on these factors.