An aircraft uses a Pitot-static system to measure its speed relative to the…
PHYSICS · Multi-part · CBSE · Physics · Mechanical Properties of Fluids · Mechanical Properties of Fluids
Problem
An aircraft uses a Pitot-static system to measure its speed relative to the surrounding air. The instrument registers a total (stagnation) pressure of 1.20×105Pa, while the ambient static pressure is 1.01×105Pa. The temperature is such that the air density may be taken as 1.2kg/m3. Assume compressibility effects are negligible at the measured speed.
(a) Calculate the speed of the aircraft relative to the air.
(b) Express this speed in miles per hour (1mi=1.61km).
(c) Briefly describe how the measured pressure difference relates to the kinetic energy of the airflow around the Pitot tube.