Stagnation

Another feature of the flow is that the air following the dividing stream­line slows down as it approaches the wing, and if the wing is not swept it actually stops instantaneously on the surface before dividing. Because the par­ticles are momentarily ‘stagnant’ at this position, it is known as a stagnation position.

It should be remembered, that in Fig. 1.13, we are looking at a two­dimensional section. If we take a three-dimensional view, as in Fig. 1.14, then we need to consider imaginary stream-surfaces. It will be seen, that the divid­ing stream surface meets the wing section along a line just under the leading edge. The stagnation position, seen as a point in the two-dimensional section, is just an end-on view of this stagnation line.

If the wing is swept, then only the component of flow at right angles to the wing leading edge is stopped, and the line of contact is called a dividing attach­ment line.

Stagnation

Fig. 1.14 Stream surfaces

In a three-dimensional view, the flow can be represented by stream surfaces

Stagnation

Fig. 1.15 Pressure distribution around an aerofoil