Here are some important objective-type questions (multiple-choice) on the Fundamentals of Aerodynamics, along with

detailed solutions. These questions are commonly asked in exams and interviews:

1. What is the primary factor responsible for generating lift on an airfoil?

a) High pressure on the top surface
b) Low pressure on the bottom surface
c) Low pressure on the top surface
d) High pressure on the bottom surface

Answer: c) Low pressure on the top surface

Explanation:

Lift is generated due to the pressure difference between the upper and lower surfaces of an airfoil.
According to Bernoulli's principle, faster airflow over the curved upper surface creates lower pressure compared to the
slower airflow on the flatter lower surface.
This pressure difference results in an upward force (lift).

2. Which of the following is true about the coefficient of lift (CL )? ​

a) It depends only on the angle of attack

b) It is independent of the airfoil shape
c) It varies with the Reynolds number and angle of attack
d) It is constant for all airfoils

Answer: c) It varies with the Reynolds number and angle of attack

Explanation:

The coefficient of lift (CL ) depends on:

​

1. Angle of attack: As the angle increases, CL increases up to a point (stall angle).

​

2. Airfoil shape: Different shapes have different lift characteristics.

3. Reynolds number: It affects the flow regime (laminar or turbulent).

3. What is the relationship between drag and velocity in aerodynamic flows?

a) Drag is directly proportional to velocity
b) Drag is inversely proportional to velocity
c) Drag is proportional to the square of velocity
d) Drag is independent of velocity

Answer: c) Drag is proportional to the square of velocity

Explanation:

Drag force is given by:

1 2
D= ρV SCD
2
​ ​

Here, V 2 indicates that drag is proportional to the square of velocity.

This is why drag increases significantly at higher speeds.

4. What does the Reynolds number (Re) indicate in aerodynamics?

a) The ratio of inertial forces to viscous forces
b) The ratio of lift to drag forces
c) The compressibility of the fluid
d) The speed of the object relative to the speed of sound

Answer: a) The ratio of inertial forces to viscous forces

Explanation:

The Reynolds number is defined as:

ρV L
Re =
μ
​

It determines whether the flow is laminar (low Re) or turbulent (high Re).
 It is a dimensionless parameter that compares inertial forces (ρV L) to viscous forces (μ).

5. Which of the following is true about the Mach number (M )?

a) It is the ratio of object speed to the speed of light
b) It is the ratio of object speed to the speed of sound
c) It is the ratio of lift force to drag force
d) It is the ratio of pressure forces to viscous forces

Answer: b) It is the ratio of object speed to the speed of sound

Explanation:

The Mach number is defined as:

V
M=
a
​

V = Object speed
a = Speed of sound in the fluid.
It determines the compressibility effects:
M < 0.3: Incompressible flow
M > 1: Supersonic flow.

6. What is the primary cause of induced drag?

a) Skin friction
b) Flow separation
c) Vortices at the wingtips
d) Shock waves

Answer: c) Vortices at the wingtips

Explanation:

Induced drag is caused by the generation of lift.

At the wingtips, high-pressure air from the lower surface flows to the low-pressure upper surface, creating vortices.
These vortices result in a backward component of force, known as induced drag.

7. Which of the following equations represents Bernoulli's principle?

a) P + 12 ρV 2 = constant
​

b) P + ρgh = constant
c) P + 12 ρV 2 + ρgh = constant
​

d) P = ρRT

Answer: c) P + 12 ρV 2 + ρgh = constant

​

Explanation:

Bernoulli's principle states that the total energy in a fluid flow (pressure energy, kinetic energy, and potential energy)
remains constant along a streamline.
The full equation is:
1 2
P+ ρV + ρgh = constant
2
​

8. What is the effect of increasing the angle of attack on an airfoil?

a) Lift decreases and drag decreases
b) Lift increases and drag decreases
c) Lift increases and drag increases
d) Lift decreases and drag increases

Answer: c) Lift increases and drag increases

Explanation:

Increasing the angle of attack increases lift up to the stall angle.

However, it also increases drag due to greater airflow disruption and pressure differences.
Beyond the stall angle, lift decreases sharply, and drag continues to increase.
9. What is the primary cause of wave drag?
a) Skin friction
b) Vortices at the wingtips
c) Shock waves at supersonic speeds
d) Flow separation

Answer: c) Shock waves at supersonic speeds

Explanation:

Wave drag occurs at supersonic speeds (M > 1) due to the formation of shock waves.
These shock waves create a sudden increase in pressure and temperature, resulting in additional drag.

10. What is the significance of the continuity equation in aerodynamics?

a) It describes the conservation of energy
b) It describes the conservation of mass
c) It describes the conservation of momentum
d) It describes the conservation of pressure

Answer: b) It describes the conservation of mass

Explanation:

The continuity equation ensures that mass is conserved in a fluid flow:

A1 V1 = A2 V2
​ ​ ​ ​

If the cross-sectional area (A) decreases, the velocity (V ) increases, and vice versa.

These questions cover the most important concepts in aerodynamics and are frequently asked in exams. Let me know if you
need more questions or further explanations!

give most important 25 questions with detailed solution fundamental of aerodynamics

Here are 25 important questions on the Fundamentals of Aerodynamics, along with detailed solutions. These questions
cover key concepts and are frequently asked in exams and interviews.

1. What is the primary force that opposes the motion of an aircraft through the air?
a) Lift
b) Thrust
c) Drag
d) Weight

Answer: c) Drag
Explanation:

Drag is the aerodynamic force that opposes the motion of an object through a fluid (air).
It acts parallel to the relative wind direction.

2. Which principle explains the generation of lift on an airfoil?

a) Newton's Third Law
b) Bernoulli's Principle
c) Pascal's Law
d) Archimedes' Principle

Answer: b) Bernoulli's Principle

Explanation:

Bernoulli's Principle states that an increase in fluid velocity results in a decrease in pressure.
On an airfoil, faster airflow over the curved upper surface creates lower pressure, generating lift.
3. What is the formula for lift force?
a) L = 12 ρV 2 SCL
​ ​

b) L = ρV SCL ​

c) L = 12 ρV SCL
​ ​

d) L = ρV 2 SCL ​

Answer: a) L = 12 ρV 2 SCL ​ ​

Explanation:

Lift force depends on air density (ρ), velocity (V ), wing area (S ), and the coefficient of lift (CL ). ​

4. What is the Reynolds number used for?

a) To determine the speed of sound
b) To predict flow regime (laminar or turbulent)
c) To calculate lift force
d) To measure drag force

Answer: b) To predict flow regime (laminar or turbulent)

Explanation:
ρV L
Reynolds number (Re = μ ) compares inertial forces to viscous forces.
​

Low Re indicates laminar flow, while high Re indicates turbulent flow.

5. What is the Mach number?

a) The ratio of inertial forces to viscous forces
b) The ratio of object speed to the speed of sound
c) The ratio of lift to drag
d) The ratio of pressure to density

Answer: b) The ratio of object speed to the speed of sound

Explanation:
V
Mach number (M = a
) determines compressibility effects.
​

M < 0.3: Incompressible flow; M > 1: Supersonic flow.

6. What is induced drag?

a) Drag due to skin friction
b) Drag due to shock waves
c) Drag due to lift generation
d) Drag due to flow separation

Answer: c) Drag due to lift generation

Explanation:

Induced drag is caused by the vortices formed at the wingtips due to lift generation.

7. What is the formula for drag force?

a) D = 12 ρV 2 SCD ​ ​

b) D = ρV SCD ​

1
c) D = 2 ρV SCD ​ ​

d) D = ρV 2 SCD ​

Answer: a) D = 12 ρV 2 SCD ​ ​

Explanation:

Drag force depends on air density (ρ), velocity (V ), wing area (S ), and the coefficient of drag (CD ). ​

8. What is the angle of attack?

a) The angle between the wing and the horizontal
b) The angle between the relative wind and the chord line
c) The angle between the thrust and drag forces
d) The angle between the lift and weight forces

Answer: b) The angle between the relative wind and the chord line
Explanation:

The angle of attack is critical for lift generation and stall conditions.

9. What is the critical Mach number?

a) The speed at which lift equals weight
b) The speed at which drag equals thrust
c) The speed at which shock waves first form on the airfoil
d) The speed at which the flow becomes turbulent

Answer: c) The speed at which shock waves first form on the airfoil
Explanation:

The critical Mach number is the speed at which airflow over the airfoil reaches the speed of sound, causing shock waves.

10. What is the significance of the continuity equation?

a) It describes the conservation of energy
b) It describes the conservation of mass
c) It describes the conservation of momentum
d) It describes the conservation of pressure

Answer: b) It describes the conservation of mass

Explanation:

The continuity equation (A1 V1 ​ ​ = A2 V2 ) ensures mass conservation in fluid flow.

​ ​

11. What is the formula for the coefficient of lift (CL )? ​

L
a) CL = 1 2
2 ρV S
​ ​

L
b) CL ​ = ρV S
​

L
c) CL = 1
2 ρV S
​ ​

L
d) CL ​ = ρV 2 S
​

L
Answer: a) CL ​ = 1 ρV 2 S ​

2
​

Explanation:

CL is a dimensionless parameter that quantifies lift generation.

​

12. What is the effect of increasing the angle of attack beyond the stall angle?
a) Lift increases and drag decreases
b) Lift decreases and drag increases
c) Both lift and drag increase
d) Both lift and drag decrease

Answer: b) Lift decreases and drag increases

Explanation:

Beyond the stall angle, flow separation occurs, causing a sharp decrease in lift and an increase in drag.

13. What is the formula for the Reynolds number?

ρV L
a) Re = μ
​

VL
b) Re = μ
​

ρV
c) Re = μL
​

ρL
d) Re = μV
​
 ρV L
Answer: a) Re = μ
​

Explanation:

Re compares inertial forces (ρV L) to viscous forces (μ).

14. What is the primary cause of wave drag?

a) Skin friction
b) Vortices at the wingtips
c) Shock waves at supersonic speeds
d) Flow separation

Answer: c) Shock waves at supersonic speeds

Explanation:

Wave drag occurs due to the formation of shock waves at supersonic speeds.

15. What is the relationship between pressure and velocity in Bernoulli's principle?
a) Pressure increases as velocity increases
b) Pressure decreases as velocity increases
c) Pressure remains constant as velocity increases
d) Pressure is independent of velocity

Answer: b) Pressure decreases as velocity increases

Explanation:

Bernoulli's principle states that an increase in velocity results in a decrease in pressure.

16. What is the formula for thrust force?

a) T = ṁ(Vexit − Vinlet ) ​ ​

b) T = ṁ(Vexit + Vinlet ) ​ ​

c) T = ṁ(Vexit ⋅ Vinlet ) ​ ​

d) T = ṁ(Vexit /Vinlet ) ​ ​

Answer: a) T = ṁ(Vexit − Vinlet ) ​ ​

Explanation:

Thrust is generated by the change in momentum of the airflow through the engine.

17. What is the primary cause of skin friction drag?

a) Vortices at the wingtips
b) Viscosity of the fluid
c) Shock waves
d) Flow separation

Answer: b) Viscosity of the fluid

Explanation:

Skin friction drag is caused by the viscosity of the fluid, which creates shear stress on the surface.

18. What is the formula for the coefficient of drag (CD )? ​

D
a) CD ​
= 1 ρV 2 S ​

2
​

D
b) CD ​
= ρV S
​

D
c) CD ​
= 1 ρV S ​

2
​

D
d) CD ​
= ρV 2 S
​

D
Answer: a) CD ​ = 1 ρV 2 S ​

2​

Explanation:

CD is a dimensionless parameter that quantifies drag.

​
19. What is the primary cause of flow separation?
a) High Reynolds number
b) High angle of attack
c) Low Mach number
d) Low viscosity

Answer: b) High angle of attack

Explanation:

Flow separation occurs when the boundary layer detaches from the surface due to a high angle of attack.

20. What is the significance of the Navier-Stokes equations?

a) They describe the conservation of mass
b) They describe the conservation of energy
c) They describe the motion of viscous fluids
d) They describe the conservation of momentum

Answer: c) They describe the motion of viscous fluids

Explanation:

The Navier-Stokes equations are fundamental for analyzing fluid flow, including viscosity effects.

21. What is the primary cause of form drag?

a) Viscosity of the fluid
b) Shape of the object
c) Vortices at the wingtips
d) Shock waves

Answer: b) Shape of the object

Explanation:

Form drag is caused by the shape of the object and the pressure distribution around it.

22. What is the formula for the Mach number?

V
a) M = a
​

a
b) M = V
​

V
c) M = ρ
​

ρ
d) M = V
​

V
Answer: a) M = a
​

Explanation:

Mach number is the ratio of object speed (V ) to the speed of sound (a).

23. What is the primary cause of induced drag?

a) Skin friction
b) Vortices at the wingtips
c) Shock waves
d) Flow separation

Answer: b) Vortices at the wingtips

Explanation:

Induced drag is caused by the vortices formed at the wingtips due to lift generation.

24. What is the formula for the continuity equation?

a) A1 V1 = A2 V2
​ ​ ​ ​

b) A1 V2 = A2 V1
​ ​ ​ ​

c) A1 A2 = V1 V2
​ ​ ​ ​

d) A1 + A2 = V1​ ​ ​ + V2 ​
Answer: a) A1 V1
​ ​ = A2 V2
​ ​

Explanation:

The continuity equation ensures mass conservation in fluid flow.

25. What is the primary cause of stall?

a) High Reynolds number
b) High angle of attack
c) Low Mach number
d) Low viscosity

Answer: b) High angle of attack

Explanation:

Stall occurs when the angle of attack exceeds the critical value, causing flow separation and a loss of lift.