1The Magic Shape of Wings
Have you ever looked out of a plane window and wondered how those giant wings keep a heavy machine floating in the sky? The secret isn't magic—it’s science! Every aeroplane wing is built with a special curved design called an aerofoil. This shape is very clever because it is curved on the top and flatter on the bottom. When a plane zooms down the runway at speeds of up to 180 miles per hour, the air has to split apart. Because of the curve, the air traveling over the top has to move much faster than the air underneath to meet up at the back. This fast-moving air on top creates a pocket of low pressure, almost like a vacuum, that helps pull the plane upward!
2Pressure and the Big Push
To understand lift, you have to think about air as something that can push and pull. While the fast air on top is busy creating low pressure, the slower air underneath the wing is doing something different. This slower air has higher pressure, which means it packs a lot of power! This high-pressure air pushes against the bottom of the wing with incredible force. Because there is less pressure pushing down from the top, the strong push from below wins the battle. This upward force is what scientists call lift, and it is strong enough to carry a jumbo jet that weighs over 400,000 kilograms!
3Engines, Speed, and Soaring
Even with perfectly shaped wings, a plane can’t fly if it’s standing still. This is why aeroplanes need powerful jet engines or propellers. These engines provide the 'thrust' needed to move the plane forward fast enough for the wings to start working. Once the plane reaches its take-off speed, the air moves so quickly over the wings that the lift becomes stronger than gravity. Pilots can even change the shape of the wings during flight by moving parts called 'flaps' and 'slats.' This helps them create more lift when they are moving slowly, like when they are coming in for a smooth landing on the runway.
