Course: CLL231- Fluid Mechanics for Chemical Engineering

Course Instructor: Mr. Somnath Ghosh

2ND Semester 2021-22

Studying the flight of a paper airplane using

Authors:
Arnav Kalra (2020CH70157)
Aryan Tyagi(2020CH10078)
Arya Ladhani(2020BB10026)
Utkarsh Dogra(2020CH70199)

Vaibhav Shivran(2020CH70201)

Index
1) Abstract

2) Introduction

3) Methods

4) Discussion

5) Conclusions

6) References

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Abstract
The idea of Fluid mechanics was used in the past to develop and understand concepts involved
in flying a paper to originate further hypotheses and to apply the result obtained on a bigger
scale. The flight patterns of a paper plane were studied briefly using two methods , first
manually flying them, and then using dimensional analysis, and observing the necessary
parameters. Flight patterns of three different types of paper planes were observed carefully
within a closed room by flying them manually, providing a minute thrust, and the results
obtained were tabulated. We conducted various experiments to study and compare Lift
coefficient (CL), drag coefficient (CD) and aerodynamic efficiency (CL/CD) parameters for each
of the planes used in the experiment. The results obtained showed higher values for the Glider
planes, considering all the parameters like stall angle and maximum lift coefficient. The Glider
plane showed lesser performance in values than other planes. These results were further verified
using the concept of dimensional analysis, with the help of Buckingham Pi Theorem. Data
recorded involves the average velocities in both horizontal and vertical directions, time of flight
and the flight distance for the used planes. The aeroplanes are differentiated in terms of the wing
area and the chord length. The obtained data was plotted using characteristic lengths and the
average velocities in both directions to obtain the relations between the parameters for different
planes. Since the experiments were conducted in a secluded space, the lateral wind velocity can
be neglected. Presuming no drag in the direction perpendicular to the path of the plane. Paper
planes used in this experiment are assumed to be flat plates and accordingly the calculations
have been adjusted.

Introduction
Seldom do we get an opportunity to study practical courses throughout the duration of our
Undergraduate Programme. Despite studying Engineering at one of the premier institutes of the
nation, we have had the misfortune of attending college in an online mode for more than 3
semesters. In the search of an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the science we have
been learning, we have landed upon an opportunity to study a major phenomenon of nature in
depth and in-person with our colleagues. For that we are extremely grateful to our course
coordinator Mr. Somnath Ghosh.

Fluid Mechanics has always been an intriguing domain. Students of almost all disciplines study
this course to get an understanding about the dynamics of fluid. Fluid comes from the word
‘flow’, which means movement along a stream or current. Fluid flow has been studied very
vividly in the past and what we choose to study and apply today is a very small part of the entire
theory. Fluid flow has been majorly categorised into two types: Laminar flow and turbulent
flow. Laminar flow can be explained in easy words as a very smooth flow of fluid in which the
velocity profile can be expressed without any complexity. Turbulent flow on the other hand is
very complex and cannot be studied easily.

The distinction between types of flow is made by a certain dimensionless constant which can be
calculated easily by basic parameters of the flow. This constant is called Reynold’s Number.

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Reynold’s Number plays a major part in the study of fluid flow and fluid behaviour. Reynold’s
number has played a major role in our study of the flight of Paper planes.

Paper Planes were first made in China in ancient time as it was a part of their rich paper folding
art form, origami. Leonardo da Vinci wrote about building a model plane out of parchment, and
of testing some of his early ornithopter, an aircraft that flies by flapping wings, and parachute
designs using paper models. With time, many other designers have improved and developed the
paper model, while using it as a fundamentally useful tool in aircraft design.

This report is a comprehensive study of ‘How paper planes fly?’ Their gliding nature has been
vividly explored and certain relations are drawn based upon, based upon certain methods that
we have used. Paper Planes are best known for their gliding nature. From flying paper planes in
childhood to understanding the science behind airplanes flying, the principle more or less
remains the same. As we know for any object to move in space, which has previously been at
rest, force is required. Similarly for a paper plane to fly we need to apply a certain force in the
desired direction. This applied force (better called impulsive force) is called Thrust. Thrust is
the force applied by a person when they throw a plane through their fingers, holding the plane at
its bottom. Now when the plane is in motion, some more forces act on the plane such as lift,
drag and gravity. A detailed study about these forces has been done and displayed in the
discussions section.

To study the flight of a paper plane we have used two methods: Manual Flight Simulation (to
observe the characteristics of flight for different structures of the same material plane) and
Dimensional Analysis (to derive relations between certain scientific constants and parameters of
flow).

Methods of approaching our study

By manually flying the prepared paper planes, we observe the flight patterns and obtain the
velocity and the time of flight for each plane. We measure the dimensions of the plane including
the cord length(c), wing area(S) and the aspect ratio(A.R.) for each plane.

Aspect Ratio is the ratio of the square of the Wingspan and the Wing Area. It is a dimensionless
quantity.

A.R. = (Wingspan)2/(Wing Area)

We make certain assumptions and a few calculations to obtain the values of the lift
coefficient(CL) and the drag coefficient(CD)using the below stated equations.

CL =2L/(ρ*V2*A.R.)

L: Lift Force

CD=2D/(ρ*V2*A.R.)

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 D: Drag Force

The data obtained was used and comparison was made among the three planes based on the
CL/CD ratios. We further plotted a graph of CL /CD vs CL .

Dimensional Analysis

We now make use of the ‘Buckingham Pi Theorem’ to derive a relation for relating some
dimensionless quantities, depending upon velocity, length, density and viscosity of air.
According to this theorem, number of dimensionless groups required is given:

n=7-m

Where n=number of dimensionless groups, m=number of primary quantities (i.e., M, L, T etc.)

We make use of the Buckingham Pi theorem by first identifying parameters which are important
for the flight of paper planes. Typical parameters which should be used should be chord length
(L), coefficient of viscosity (), acceleration due to gravity (g), velocity of plane (v) and density
of fluid (). (Here air is the fluid).

Now we apply dimensional analysis to find the dimensionless groups:

1) Find a dimensionless group (1) in terms of , v, L and .

1= (ρ)a (v)b (L)c (μ)d

Here, []=ML-3; [v]=LT-1; [L]=L; []=ML-1T-1

We get: M0L0T0=(ML-3)a (LT-1)b (L)c (ML-1 T-1)d

On solving, we get: a=-d, b=-d, c=-d

On substituting d=-1, we get π1=Re= ρ *v*L/ μ, which is Reynold’s Number.

2) Find a dimensionless group (2) in terms of v, g, L.

2=(v)a (g)b(L)c

Here, [v]=LT-1, [g]=LT-2, [L]=L

We get: M0 L0T0=(LT-1 )a (LT-2)b (L)c

On solving, we get: a=-2b, c=b

Substituting b=-1/2 we get π2=Fr=v/√(g*L), which is Froude’s Number.

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After getting the necessary dimensionless groups, we collect the relevant data (which is chord
length and velocity) for 3 different kinds of paper planes (Glider, Stunt Plane and Wide Stunt
Glider). We try comparing values of the two dimensionless quantities obtained using analysis
and check their dependence on the variables they are found to be dependent on. We further used
these values to plot three kinds of graphs, Re vs Fr, Re vs Fr2 and Re vs friction coefficient.

Results
After a comprehensive study of all the three different planes, we were able to accumulate a lot
of data to verify our claims and to support further discussions.

We tabulated the velocities and the time of flight on manual experimentation, and calculated the
parameters of the planes used, namely the Wing Area(S) and Aspect Ratio(AR).

We then utilised the previously stated equations for the Lift Coefficient(CL) and Drag
Coefficient(CD) and to calculate the values and compare them.

We further, used those values to plot the following graph of C L/ CD vs CL.

We utilised the data for velocities and length of plane and used standard values for the density
and coefficient of viscosity, to obtain the Reynold’s Number and the Froude's Number.

We further plot three types of graphs : - Re vs Fr, Re vs Fr2 and Re vs friction coefficient. (All
quantities are in SI units)

1. Wide Stunt Plane (Length = 0.136m)

Velocity Re Fr Fr2 Friction Coefficient

1.18 10424.91 1.03 1.05 0.0065

1.04 9188.06 0.90 0.81 0.0069

1.2 10601.60 1.04 1.09 0.0064

1.11 9806.48 0.97 0.93 0.0067

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Graph1.1: Re vs Fr graph

Graph1.2: Re vs Fr2 graph

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 Graph1.3: Re vs Friction co-efficient graph

2. Stunt Plane (Length = 0.135m)

Velocity Re Fr Fr2 Friction Coefficient

1.67 14753.90 1.45 2.11 0.00546

1.59 14047.12 1.38 1.91 0.00560

1.71 15107.28 1.49 2.21 0.00540

1.80 15018.94 1.48 2.18 0.00541

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Graph2.1: Re vs Fr graph

Graph2.2: Re vs Fr2 graph

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 Graph2.3: Re vs Friction coefficient graph

3. Glider (Length = 0.134m)

Velocity Re Fr Fr2 Friction Coefficient

1.83 16047.68 1.59 2.53 0.00524

1.88 16486.15 1.63 2.67 0.00517

1.79 15696.92 1.56 2.42 0.00529

1.9 16661.53 1.65 2.73 0.00514

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Graph3.1: Re vs Fr graph

Graph3.2: Re vs Fr2 graph

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 Graph3.2: Re vs Friction Coefficient graph

Discussion
The concept of flight can be evidently explained by virtue of the basic forces acting on the
plane, for that matter any object in flight motion. These forces originate when the plane cuts
through the layers of the fluid, in this case, air. The fluid motion is initiated and friction between
the layers of the fluid causes net forces to act on the plane body.

As seen in the Free Body Diagram of a plane wing shown below, four forces act on the wing,
namely the drag, lift, thrust and the gravitational force.

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The wings slice through the air molecules, causing a phenomenon stated as the Coanda Effect,
which is the tendency of the fluid to stay in contact with an object. It implies that the airflow
will follow the shape of whatever object it encounters, in this case, the wing. In the figure
shown below, keep a watch at the airflow above the wing, it seems to get pushed downwards at
the back of the wing. That downward flow creates an upward force on the lower end of the
wing, and that force is known as the lift. The layer of air that flows across the wing causes the
plane to slow down due to frictional forces, known as drag force. The weight of the paper plane
pulls it downwards and affects the net force acting on the plane. For a paper plane, the
horizontal force applied while projecting it is called as thrust force.

Conclusions

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