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A propeller produces thrust in the same way that a wing produces lift. It is an airfoil. The primary difference is that, rather than being pushed straight through the air like a wing, a propeller is pushed through the air around in a circle.

The complex details of how wings use airfoils produce lift has been discussed in great detail in the question "How do airplanes fly?" which I will link below.

The short version is that airfoils use Bernoullis principle to create a differential of air pressure, with a pocket of high pressure under the wing (or behind the prop) and a pocket of low pressure above the wing (in front of the prop). The specifics of this are very involved, and discussed in much greater detail in "How do airplanes fly" and there is also a certain amount of aerodynamic deflection involved (like what your oscillating fan does). Additionally, there are many different types of aircraft propellers and each has its own specific properties and abilities.

Your standard Cessna 2 or 4 seater has a very basic "fixed pitch" prop. It is designed to produce the most power at specific speeds and a specific range of altitudes. Outside of that specific range of speeds and altitudes, the propeller will not perform well, so it must be especially designed to match the performance characteristics of the aircraft it is meant for.

More sophisticated aircraft and multi-engined aircraft usually have a variable-pitch or "constant speed" prop. These propellers allow the pilot to make adjustments to the angle, or "bite" of the propeller blades. As I mentioned before, propellers lose their power when they go faster or higher than they were designed for. Constant speed propellers can be adjusted for the conditions. When the pilot reaches higher altitudes, he can adjust the prop to better suit the thinner air up there and thus make more effective and more efficient use of his engine power. The propeller may even be able to reverse pitch completely thus also reversing the thrust for braking on short runways or in bad weather.

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15y ago
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4mo ago

A propeller produces thrust by spinning rapidly and creating a pressure difference between the front and back of the blades. This pressure difference causes air to be pushed backwards, generating a forward force that propels the aircraft or vehicle forward.

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Q: How can a propeller produce thrust?
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How does a propeller produce thrust?

A propeller produces thrust by using its rotating blades to accelerate air backwards, creating a force in the opposite direction as dictated by Newton's third law of motion. This acceleration of air generates a forward force on the propeller, which in turn propels the aircraft or vehicle forward.


How is the thrust force created in a propeller driven plane?

Thrust force in a propeller-driven plane is created by the rotation of the propeller blades, which accelerates and pushes air backwards. This action follows Newton's third law of motion - for every action (the air being pushed backwards), there is an equal and opposite reaction (thrust force pushing the plane forwards). The propeller blades are designed to efficiently convert engine power into forward thrust to propel the aircraft through the air.


The push produced by a spinning propeller?

The push produced by a spinning propeller is generated by the rotation of the blades, which creates thrust by accelerating air backwards. This propulsion force is a result of the principle of action and reaction, as stated in Newton's third law of motion. The angle and speed of the propeller blades determine the efficiency and magnitude of the thrust produced.


What part of a plane and of a jet are used to create thrust?

In a jet engine, the part used to create thrust is the combustion chamber where fuel is burned to create high-speed exhaust gases. In a propeller plane, the propeller blade is the part that creates thrust by spinning rapidly and pushing air backwards.


What is the source of the force of thrust for an airplane?

The source of thrust for an airplane is the propulsion system, typically a jet engine or a propeller. The engine generates thrust by expelling a high-speed jet of gas or creating airflow over the propeller blades, which propels the airplane forward through Newton's third law of motion.

Related questions

What is aircraft propeller?

A propeller is the object on the aircraft that rotates to produce thrust almost like a fan makes wind... it aims the wind behind it and pushes the aircraft forward


How does a propeller produce thrust?

A propeller produces thrust by using its rotating blades to accelerate air backwards, creating a force in the opposite direction as dictated by Newton's third law of motion. This acceleration of air generates a forward force on the propeller, which in turn propels the aircraft or vehicle forward.


What provides thrust for airplanes?

An engine driving a propeller or a turbine causes thrust.


How does the biplane create thrust?

Most biplanes had radial engines driving a propeller, this created thrust when it rotated.


Are thrust loads at a right angle to a shaft?

On a ships propeller shaft, the thrust will be in line with the axis of the shaft.


How is the thrust force created in a propeller driven plane?

Thrust force in a propeller-driven plane is created by the rotation of the propeller blades, which accelerates and pushes air backwards. This action follows Newton's third law of motion - for every action (the air being pushed backwards), there is an equal and opposite reaction (thrust force pushing the plane forwards). The propeller blades are designed to efficiently convert engine power into forward thrust to propel the aircraft through the air.


How does the airplane propeller work?

The curved shape of the propeller deflects airflow to it's rear. This is 'thrust' that propels an aircraft.


What is a propeller plane?

It's a plane that is propeller-driven. The engine or engines drive propellers to provide thrust for the craft.


Can a propeller work in space?

No, a propeller requires a medium, such as air or water, to push against in order to generate thrust. In the vacuum of space, there is no medium for the propeller to work against, so it would not be able to generate thrust or propel a spacecraft.


The push produced by a spinning propeller?

The push produced by a spinning propeller is generated by the rotation of the blades, which creates thrust by accelerating air backwards. This propulsion force is a result of the principle of action and reaction, as stated in Newton's third law of motion. The angle and speed of the propeller blades determine the efficiency and magnitude of the thrust produced.


What is the kind of spinner used to give thrust to some airplanes?

The spinner alone gives no thrust. The shape of the propeller is what moves the air and gives thrust.


What is a trust block?

I believe you mean a "thrust block," and a thrust block is a special form of thrust bearing used by ships in order to resist the thrust of the ship's propeller shaft and transfer it to the hull.