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winkosmosis · 05-27-2011, 12:58 PM

I think the main reason the top of wings are usually curved is so flow attaches and stays attaches, then departs with a steeper angle. If the leading edge is razor sharp, air will hit it and never attach unless the angle is really shallow, so it has to be radiused. And then after the leading edge, the slope is shallow and gradually gets steeper so flow can remain attached.

http://scienceray.com/physics/wind-tunnels/

05-27-2011, 12:58 PM	#16 (permalink)
winkosmosis Master EcoModder Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Maui, Hawaii Posts: 813 Thanks: 5 Thanked 34 Times in 26 Posts	I think the main reason the top of wings are usually curved is so flow attaches and stays attaches, then departs with a steeper angle. If the leading edge is razor sharp, air will hit it and never attach unless the angle is really shallow, so it has to be radiused. And then after the leading edge, the slope is shallow and gradually gets steeper so flow can remain attached. http://scienceray.com/physics/wind-tunnels/ Last edited by winkosmosis; 05-27-2011 at 01:15 PM..