Originally Posted by
aviationluver
Hello,
I am showing that the equation for lift on a wing is
L=1/2 Cl (air density) (Area of Wing) Velocity^2
However, the dimensions aren't working out.
L is kg ; Cl is dimensionless; Air density is kg/m^3; Area is m^2; Velocity is m/s
If you work the dimensions it does not work out. You get L in kg and kg m on the other side.
What am I missing?
Thanks.
First you are missing (1/s)^2 from the velocity term, this gives kg*m /s^2
Second, you are missing that lift is a force so it is in Newtons which is also (e.g. from F=ma) = kg*m/s^2
Sorry you didn't discover new physics, maybe next time
