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Airfoil Theory

Fluid Mechanics · FE Reference Handbook section

Fluid Mechanics
21 formulas
10 exam-style examples
~60 min
All Fluid Mechanics lectures

Handbook notes for this section

Definitions and conditions exactly as the handbook states them.

  • The lift force on an airfoil FL is given by
  • The lift coefficient CL can be approximated by the equation
  • The drag coefficient CD may be approximated by
  • The aspect ratio AR is defined
  • The aerodynamic moment M is given by
  • where the moment is taken about the front quarter point of the airfoil.
  • Temperature Specific Weight Density Viscosity Viscosity Vapor Pressure

Core formulas for this FE topic

Definitions, applicability, units, assumptions and worked examples for each relation.

Worked exam-style examples

The four ways this section is written on the real exam — thoughts first, then equations, then substitution.

Example 1
Drag force — solve for drag force — Airfoil Theory

the drag force on a sphere settling through a fluid Given drag coefficient (C_D) = 0.5300; fluid density (rho) = 1,152 kg/m^3; relative velocity (V) = 4.0000 m/s; frontal area (A) = 2.3500 m^2, determine the drag force (F_D) in N.

Given

  • dragcoefficient(CD)=0.5300drag coefficient (C_D) = 0.5300
  • fluiddensity(rho)=1,152kg/m3fluid density (rho) = 1,152 kg/m^3
  • relativevelocity(V)=4.0000m/srelative velocity (V) = 4.0000 m/s
  • frontalarea(A)=2.3500m2frontal area (A) = 2.3500 m^2

Find

drag force (F_D), in N

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Drag force.
  • Everything except F_D is given, so isolate F_D symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • The drag force on a body moving through a fluid depends on the drag coefficient, velocity, and frontal area.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    FD=CDρV22AF_D = C_D \dfrac{\rho V^2}{2} A
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that F_D stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3 — List the givens: drag coefficient (C_D) = 0.5300, fluid density (rho) = 1,152 kg/m^3, relative velocity (V) = 4.0000 m/s, frontal area (A) = 2.3500 m^2.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    FD=11479 NF_{D} = 11479\ \text{N}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning F_D = 11,479 N to

    FD=CDρV22AF_D = C_D \dfrac{\rho V^2}{2} A

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
FD=11479 NF_{D} = 11479\ \text{N}

Why the other options are there

  • 22,957 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 5,739 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 12,626 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Handbook — Drag Force

Example 2
Drag force — solve for relative velocity — Airfoil Theory (2)

the drag force on an automobile modeled with a drag coefficient Given drag coefficient (C_D) = 0.2500; fluid density (rho) = 1,081 kg/m^3; frontal area (A) = 4.6500 m^2; drag force (F_D) = 14,843 N, determine the relative velocity (V) in m/s.

Given

  • dragcoefficient(CD)=0.2500drag coefficient (C_D) = 0.2500
  • fluiddensity(rho)=1,081kg/m3fluid density (rho) = 1,081 kg/m^3
  • frontalarea(A)=4.6500m2frontal area (A) = 4.6500 m^2
  • dragforce(FD)=14,843Ndrag force (F_D) = 14,843 N

Find

relative velocity (V), in m/s

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Drag force.
  • Everything except V is given, so isolate V symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • The drag force on a body moving through a fluid depends on the drag coefficient, velocity, and frontal area.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    FD=CDρV22AF_D = C_D \dfrac{\rho V^2}{2} A
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that V stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3 — List the givens: drag coefficient (C_D) = 0.2500, fluid density (rho) = 1,081 kg/m^3, frontal area (A) = 4.6500 m^2, drag force (F_D) = 14,843 N.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    V=4.8603 m/sV = 4.8603\ \text{m/s}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning V = 4.8603 m/s to

    FD=CDρV22AF_D = C_D \dfrac{\rho V^2}{2} A

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
V=4.8603 m/sV = 4.8603\ \text{m/s}

Why the other options are there

  • 9.7207 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 2.4302 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 5.3464 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Handbook — Drag Force

Example 3
Drag force — solve for frontal area — Airfoil Theory (3)

the drag force on a piling exposed to river flow Given drag coefficient (C_D) = 0.4100; fluid density (rho) = 453.0 kg/m^3; relative velocity (V) = 15.5000 m/s; drag force (F_D) = 9,856 N, determine the frontal area (A) in m^2.

Given

  • dragcoefficient(CD)=0.4100drag coefficient (C_D) = 0.4100
  • fluiddensity(rho)=453.0kg/m3fluid density (rho) = 453.0 kg/m^3
  • relativevelocity(V)=15.5000m/srelative velocity (V) = 15.5000 m/s
  • dragforce(FD)=9,856Ndrag force (F_D) = 9,856 N

Find

frontal area (A), in m^2

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Drag force.
  • Everything except A is given, so isolate A symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • The drag force on a body moving through a fluid depends on the drag coefficient, velocity, and frontal area.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    FD=CDρV22AF_D = C_D \dfrac{\rho V^2}{2} A
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that A stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3 — List the givens: drag coefficient (C_D) = 0.4100, fluid density (rho) = 453.0 kg/m^3, relative velocity (V) = 15.5000 m/s, drag force (F_D) = 9,856 N.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    A = 0.4418\ \text{m^2}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning A = 0.4418 m^2 to

    FD=CDρV22AF_D = C_D \dfrac{\rho V^2}{2} A

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
A = 0.4418\ \text{m^2}

Why the other options are there

  • 0.8835 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 0.2209 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 0.4859 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Handbook — Drag Force

Example 4
Drag force — solve for drag force (case 2) — Airfoil Theory (4)

the drag force on a sphere settling through a fluid Given drag coefficient (C_D) = 0.6400; fluid density (rho) = 17.0000 kg/m^3; relative velocity (V) = 28.0000 m/s; frontal area (A) = 2.4500 m^2, determine the drag force (F_D) in N.

Given

  • dragcoefficient(CD)=0.6400drag coefficient (C_D) = 0.6400
  • fluiddensity(rho)=17.0000kg/m3fluid density (rho) = 17.0000 kg/m^3
  • relativevelocity(V)=28.0000m/srelative velocity (V) = 28.0000 m/s
  • frontalarea(A)=2.4500m2frontal area (A) = 2.4500 m^2

Find

drag force (F_D), in N

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Drag force.
  • Everything except F_D is given, so isolate F_D symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • The drag force on a body moving through a fluid depends on the drag coefficient, velocity, and frontal area.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    FD=CDρV22AF_D = C_D \dfrac{\rho V^2}{2} A
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that F_D stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3 — List the givens: drag coefficient (C_D) = 0.6400, fluid density (rho) = 17.0000 kg/m^3, relative velocity (V) = 28.0000 m/s, frontal area (A) = 2.4500 m^2.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    FD=10449 NF_{D} = 10449\ \text{N}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning F_D = 10,449 N to

    FD=CDρV22AF_D = C_D \dfrac{\rho V^2}{2} A

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
FD=10449 NF_{D} = 10449\ \text{N}

Why the other options are there

  • 20,898 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 5,225 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 11,494 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Handbook — Drag Force

Example 5
Drag force — solve for relative velocity (case 2) — Airfoil Theory (5)

the drag force on an automobile modeled with a drag coefficient Given drag coefficient (C_D) = 0.3400; fluid density (rho) = 703.0 kg/m^3; frontal area (A) = 4.1500 m^2; drag force (F_D) = 11,156 N, determine the relative velocity (V) in m/s.

Given

  • dragcoefficient(CD)=0.3400drag coefficient (C_D) = 0.3400
  • fluiddensity(rho)=703.0kg/m3fluid density (rho) = 703.0 kg/m^3
  • frontalarea(A)=4.1500m2frontal area (A) = 4.1500 m^2
  • dragforce(FD)=11,156Ndrag force (F_D) = 11,156 N

Find

relative velocity (V), in m/s

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Drag force.
  • Everything except V is given, so isolate V symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • The drag force on a body moving through a fluid depends on the drag coefficient, velocity, and frontal area.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    FD=CDρV22AF_D = C_D \dfrac{\rho V^2}{2} A
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that V stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3 — List the givens: drag coefficient (C_D) = 0.3400, fluid density (rho) = 703.0 kg/m^3, frontal area (A) = 4.1500 m^2, drag force (F_D) = 11,156 N.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    V=4.7427 m/sV = 4.7427\ \text{m/s}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning V = 4.7427 m/s to

    FD=CDρV22AF_D = C_D \dfrac{\rho V^2}{2} A

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
V=4.7427 m/sV = 4.7427\ \text{m/s}

Why the other options are there

  • 9.4855 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 2.3714 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 5.2170 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Handbook — Drag Force

Example 6
Drag force — solve for frontal area (case 2) — Airfoil Theory (6)

the drag force on a piling exposed to river flow Given drag coefficient (C_D) = 0.4500; fluid density (rho) = 1,156 kg/m^3; relative velocity (V) = 2.0000 m/s; drag force (F_D) = 14,883 N, determine the frontal area (A) in m^2.

Given

  • dragcoefficient(CD)=0.4500drag coefficient (C_D) = 0.4500
  • fluiddensity(rho)=1,156kg/m3fluid density (rho) = 1,156 kg/m^3
  • relativevelocity(V)=2.0000m/srelative velocity (V) = 2.0000 m/s
  • dragforce(FD)=14,883Ndrag force (F_D) = 14,883 N

Find

frontal area (A), in m^2

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Drag force.
  • Everything except A is given, so isolate A symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • The drag force on a body moving through a fluid depends on the drag coefficient, velocity, and frontal area.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    FD=CDρV22AF_D = C_D \dfrac{\rho V^2}{2} A
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that A stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3 — List the givens: drag coefficient (C_D) = 0.4500, fluid density (rho) = 1,156 kg/m^3, relative velocity (V) = 2.0000 m/s, drag force (F_D) = 14,883 N.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    A = 14.3051\ \text{m^2}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning A = 14.3051 m^2 to

    FD=CDρV22AF_D = C_D \dfrac{\rho V^2}{2} A

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
A = 14.3051\ \text{m^2}

Why the other options are there

  • 28.6101 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 7.1525 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 15.7356 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Handbook — Drag Force

Example 7
Drag force — solve for drag force (case 3) — Airfoil Theory (7)

the drag force on a sphere settling through a fluid Given drag coefficient (C_D) = 0.1100; fluid density (rho) = 699.0 kg/m^3; relative velocity (V) = 6.0000 m/s; frontal area (A) = 0.4000 m^2, determine the drag force (F_D) in N.

Given

  • dragcoefficient(CD)=0.1100drag coefficient (C_D) = 0.1100
  • fluiddensity(rho)=699.0kg/m3fluid density (rho) = 699.0 kg/m^3
  • relativevelocity(V)=6.0000m/srelative velocity (V) = 6.0000 m/s
  • frontalarea(A)=0.4000m2frontal area (A) = 0.4000 m^2

Find

drag force (F_D), in N

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Drag force.
  • Everything except F_D is given, so isolate F_D symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • The drag force on a body moving through a fluid depends on the drag coefficient, velocity, and frontal area.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    FD=CDρV22AF_D = C_D \dfrac{\rho V^2}{2} A
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that F_D stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3 — List the givens: drag coefficient (C_D) = 0.1100, fluid density (rho) = 699.0 kg/m^3, relative velocity (V) = 6.0000 m/s, frontal area (A) = 0.4000 m^2.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    FD=553.6 NF_{D} = 553.6\ \text{N}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning F_D = 553.6 N to

    FD=CDρV22AF_D = C_D \dfrac{\rho V^2}{2} A

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
FD=553.6 NF_{D} = 553.6\ \text{N}

Why the other options are there

  • 1,107 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 276.8 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 609.0 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Handbook — Drag Force

Example 8
Drag force — solve for relative velocity (case 3) — Airfoil Theory (8)

the drag force on an automobile modeled with a drag coefficient Given drag coefficient (C_D) = 0.5900; fluid density (rho) = 446.0 kg/m^3; frontal area (A) = 2.2000 m^2; drag force (F_D) = 14,001 N, determine the relative velocity (V) in m/s.

Given

  • dragcoefficient(CD)=0.5900drag coefficient (C_D) = 0.5900
  • fluiddensity(rho)=446.0kg/m3fluid density (rho) = 446.0 kg/m^3
  • frontalarea(A)=2.2000m2frontal area (A) = 2.2000 m^2
  • dragforce(FD)=14,001Ndrag force (F_D) = 14,001 N

Find

relative velocity (V), in m/s

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Drag force.
  • Everything except V is given, so isolate V symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • The drag force on a body moving through a fluid depends on the drag coefficient, velocity, and frontal area.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    FD=CDρV22AF_D = C_D \dfrac{\rho V^2}{2} A
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that V stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3 — List the givens: drag coefficient (C_D) = 0.5900, fluid density (rho) = 446.0 kg/m^3, frontal area (A) = 2.2000 m^2, drag force (F_D) = 14,001 N.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    V=6.9549 m/sV = 6.9549\ \text{m/s}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning V = 6.9549 m/s to

    FD=CDρV22AF_D = C_D \dfrac{\rho V^2}{2} A

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
V=6.9549 m/sV = 6.9549\ \text{m/s}

Why the other options are there

  • 13.9098 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 3.4774 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 7.6504 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Handbook — Drag Force

Example 9
Drag force — solve for frontal area (case 3) — Airfoil Theory (9)

the drag force on a piling exposed to river flow Given drag coefficient (C_D) = 1.0800; fluid density (rho) = 698.0 kg/m^3; relative velocity (V) = 15.5000 m/s; drag force (F_D) = 4,326 N, determine the frontal area (A) in m^2.

Given

  • dragcoefficient(CD)=1.0800drag coefficient (C_D) = 1.0800
  • fluiddensity(rho)=698.0kg/m3fluid density (rho) = 698.0 kg/m^3
  • relativevelocity(V)=15.5000m/srelative velocity (V) = 15.5000 m/s
  • dragforce(FD)=4,326Ndrag force (F_D) = 4,326 N

Find

frontal area (A), in m^2

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Drag force.
  • Everything except A is given, so isolate A symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • The drag force on a body moving through a fluid depends on the drag coefficient, velocity, and frontal area.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    FD=CDρV22AF_D = C_D \dfrac{\rho V^2}{2} A
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that A stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3 — List the givens: drag coefficient (C_D) = 1.0800, fluid density (rho) = 698.0 kg/m^3, relative velocity (V) = 15.5000 m/s, drag force (F_D) = 4,326 N.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    A = 0.0478\ \text{m^2}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning A = 0.0478 m^2 to

    FD=CDρV22AF_D = C_D \dfrac{\rho V^2}{2} A

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
A = 0.0478\ \text{m^2}

Why the other options are there

  • 0.0955 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 0.0239 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 0.0525 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Handbook — Drag Force

Example 10
Drag force — solve for drag force (case 4) — Airfoil Theory (10)

the drag force on a sphere settling through a fluid Given drag coefficient (C_D) = 1.1400; fluid density (rho) = 559.0 kg/m^3; relative velocity (V) = 22.0000 m/s; frontal area (A) = 3.2500 m^2, determine the drag force (F_D) in N.

Given

  • dragcoefficient(CD)=1.1400drag coefficient (C_D) = 1.1400
  • fluiddensity(rho)=559.0kg/m3fluid density (rho) = 559.0 kg/m^3
  • relativevelocity(V)=22.0000m/srelative velocity (V) = 22.0000 m/s
  • frontalarea(A)=3.2500m2frontal area (A) = 3.2500 m^2

Find

drag force (F_D), in N

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Drag force.
  • Everything except F_D is given, so isolate F_D symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • The drag force on a body moving through a fluid depends on the drag coefficient, velocity, and frontal area.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    FD=CDρV22AF_D = C_D \dfrac{\rho V^2}{2} A
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that F_D stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3 — List the givens: drag coefficient (C_D) = 1.1400, fluid density (rho) = 559.0 kg/m^3, relative velocity (V) = 22.0000 m/s, frontal area (A) = 3.2500 m^2.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    FD=501205 NF_{D} = 501205\ \text{N}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning F_D = 501,205 N to

    FD=CDρV22AF_D = C_D \dfrac{\rho V^2}{2} A

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
FD=501205 NF_{D} = 501205\ \text{N}

Why the other options are there

  • 1,002,410 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 250,602 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 551,325 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Handbook — Drag Force

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