4 ms·
The movement of a fluid according to Newton's laws is described by the Navier-Stokes Equations, which have no closed-form solution[1]. So, if your intuition gi
by khafra 16y ago
The movement of a fluid according to Newton's laws is described by the Navier-Stokes Equations, which have no closed-form solution[1]. So, if your intuition gives you a picture of air moving downward from a wing, that's great. But if it feels like a complete explanation, that is a fact about your mind; not a fact about the world.
[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Navier-Stokes_equations http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Navier-Stokes_equations
- toddh 16y agoAn equation is a description which is surely an artifact of the mind. At least I'm using forces. So you are saying lift isn't provided as I describe?
- khafra 16y agoI'm saying "lift is just Newton's third law" is approximately as descriptive as "the mind is just the interaction of weighted electrochemical links between neurons." The word "just" covers a lot of detail that can make the short explanation less satisfying--especially if you're trying to use it to build something.
- khafra 16y agoToo late to edit, but I just found a good reference: http://scienceblogs.com/mixingmemory/2006/11/the_illusion_of_explanatory_de.php http://scienceblogs.com/mixingmemory/2006/11/the_illusion_of...