By Career Maker’s Academy – Learn Physics, Chemistry & Maths for Grades 9–12 Under One Roof with Er. Shobhit Pandey Sir in Dholpur, Rajasthan
Have you ever looked up at the sky and wondered how massive airplanes soar through the air or how small drones hover and zip around with ease? The secret behind these flying marvels lies in the fascinating world of physics—specifically, the forces that govern flight.
At Career Maker’s Academy in Dholpur, we believe that learning becomes exciting when real-world phenomena like flight are connected with classroom concepts. Let’s dive into the science behind how airplanes and drones defy gravity and stay aloft.
The Four Fundamental Forces of Flight
Whether it’s a passenger jet or a quadcopter drone, all flying machines rely on the same four forces:
- Lift
Lift is the upward force that counters gravity. It is generated mainly by the wings in airplanes and by the rotors in drones. When air flows over the curved surface of an airplane wing, it travels faster above than below, creating lower pressure on top and higher pressure underneath. This pressure difference produces lift, as explained by Bernoulli’s Principle. - Weight (Gravity)
Weight is the downward force due to gravity. For flight to occur, lift must overcome this force. Engineers design aircraft and drones with lightweight materials to ensure they can generate enough lift without being pulled down too strongly. - Thrust
Thrust is the forward-moving force provided by engines or propellers. In airplanes, jet engines or propellers push the aircraft forward, while in drones, motors spin rotors to generate both lift and directional thrust. - Drag
Drag is the resistance force acting opposite to thrust. It is caused by air friction and must be minimized through aerodynamic design to ensure efficient flight.
How Airplanes Fly
Airplanes achieve flight by using fixed wings and powerful engines. As the engines produce thrust, air flows over the wings, generating lift. Pilots use control surfaces like ailerons, rudders, and elevators to maneuver the aircraft. The shape of the wings—called an airfoil—is specially designed to maximize lift.
How Drones Stay in the Air
Drones, especially quadcopters, use rotating blades to produce lift. Each rotor spins at high speed, pushing air downward and creating an upward reaction force. By adjusting the speed of individual rotors, drones can move forward, backward, hover, or spin on the spot. Unlike airplanes, drones don’t need a runway—they can take off and land vertically.
Learning Flight at Career Maker’s Academy
At Career Maker’s Academy, we don’t just teach theories—we make physics come alive! Under the expert guidance of Er. Shobhit Pandey Sir, students in grades 9 to 12 explore concepts like aerodynamics, Newton’s laws, forces of motion, and energy conservation through interactive lessons and practical demonstrations.
We believe that understanding the physics of flight not only helps students excel academically but also inspires them to pursue careers in aerospace, robotics, and engineering. Our coaching institute in Dholpur, Rajasthan, is committed to nurturing scientific curiosity and preparing students for competitive exams with a strong conceptual foundation.