Enter the air density and the true airspeed into the Calculator. The calculator will evaluate the Lift Energy.
Lift Energy Formula
LE = 1/2*p*V^2
Variables:
- LE is the Lift Energy (J)
- p is the air density
- V is the true airspeed
To calculate Lift Energy, multiply the air density by the true airspeed squared, then divide by 2.
How to Calculate Lift Energy?
The following steps outline how to calculate the Lift Energy.
- First, determine the air density.
- Next, determine the true airspeed.
- Next, gather the formula from above = LE = 1/2*p*V^2.
- Finally, calculate the Lift Energy.
- After inserting the variables and calculating the result, check your answer with the calculator above.
Example Problem :
Use the following variables as an example problem to test your knowledge.
air density = 4.5
true airspeed = 400
FAQ
What is air density and how does it affect lift energy?
Air density, represented as “p” in the lift energy formula, refers to the mass of air per unit volume. It affects lift energy because the denser the air, the greater the force exerted on an object moving through it, thus increasing the lift energy.
How is true airspeed different from ground speed?
True airspeed is the speed of an aircraft relative to the air through which it moves, while ground speed is the speed of the aircraft relative to the ground. True airspeed is used in the lift energy calculation because it directly affects the air’s force on the object.
Can lift energy be negative?
Typically, lift energy is considered to be a positive value as it represents the energy associated with the lift force acting on an object. However, in theoretical scenarios where the direction of motion opposes the lift direction, the calculation could yield a negative value, indicating a downward force.
Why do we divide by 2 in the lift energy formula?
The division by 2 in the lift energy formula (LE = 1/2*p*V^2) comes from the kinetic energy equation. It represents the conversion of the object’s motion through air (kinetic energy) into lift energy, factoring in the air’s resistance against the object’s surface.
