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How do the forces of friction from air resistance affect the flight of an aeroplane?
An airplane is subject to a specific kind of friction, which we call friction drag. Friction drag is the resistance of the air along the surface of the plane. The air molecules rub along the plane and actually slow it down. To minimize the effects of drag, the airplane needs to be designed in such a way as to limit the surface and create a smooth trailing edge. We call these shapes streamlined or aerodynamic.
Maintaining a steady flight requires a balance, often described as an equilibrium of all the forces acting upon an airplane. Weight, lift, thrust, and drag are the acting forces on an airplane. Assuming a straight and level flight, the lift must be equal to weight and drag must be equal to thrust. This is what happens if this equilibrium is violated:
If the lift becomes greater than the weight, then the plane will accelerate upward.
If the weight is greater than the lift, then the plane will accelerate downward.
When the thrust becomes greater than the drag, the plane will accelerate forward.
If drag becomes greater than the thrust a deceleration will occur.
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