2006-08-11 00:07:07 · 18 answers · asked by Wendy G 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Aircraft
No. Birds in flight give a downward thrust equal to their weight. Since this is in a confined space, the weight would stay the same.
2006-08-11 00:12:47 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes. The gravitational mass exerted on the plain (i.e. the weight) would be less because the birds would no longer form part of that graviational mass, since they would, in effect, be counteracting the gravity by flying.
W=A+B where W=graviational mass, A=Airplane mass, B=Birds mass
therefore W-B = A
And to rebutt the "downward force for flight = birds weight", it doesn't. There will, of course be a downward force, but it is not equal to the bird's weight. Plus, the way a bird flies, it doesn't exert a permanent downward thrust. The "thrust" caused by a bird flapping is not an additional gravitic force, it is a movement through air. The air might be disturbed, but it wouldn't cause an effective downward force on the plane. That's like saying for a bird to fly, it pushes the whole *earth* away from it...it doesn't, it's more like swimming through the air...air resistance provides lift.
2006-08-11 07:15:32 · answer #2 · answered by Azrael 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No. You need to consider that plane as a "box system" (mechanics). Since the plane is a confined space (as our friend said up here), the weight of the birds needs to be considered even if they're flying, because they still are inside the box. Got it?
The plane is working to get all the mass that is inside of it to the air.
If you were talking about one of those small airplanes, with no confined spaces, and the birds started to fly, then they wouldn't be a part of the system anymore, because in that case the system (the box) is just the body of the airplane and the stuff weighing on it (like the pilot).
2006-08-11 07:18:59 · answer #3 · answered by Nina E 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, it would stay the same because the birds would push air downward to create enough lift to fly. The amount or force of the air pushed down would be equal to the weight of the bird which would push downward on the bottom of the cages or plane floor, equialising the weight.
2006-08-11 07:15:11 · answer #4 · answered by le_coupe 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The total weight of the plane would be exactly the same. To prove this think about this next bit. If the 200 or so passengers stood up and all jumped in unison, for the split second they were all airborne would the plane weigh 3000stone less. No way! Hope i've been of help.
2006-08-12 17:48:47 · answer #5 · answered by Gray 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
That is an interesting question. My thought would be yes, if all the birds were airborne, inside the airplane, they would not be contributing to its Gross Weight. Birds, being VERY light would hardly add a significant load though, the cages would be the biggest part of the load. Funny question!
2006-08-11 07:15:31 · answer #6 · answered by sc0tt.rm 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes the plane would be lighter. When this happens the plane jumps up and down! I believe they call it Turbulance! Nowadays all birds are taped to the perch to prevent this!
Hope this helps!
2006-08-11 07:15:27 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Funny question, but logical as well. The same as the increase in weight when you eat!! Depending on some answers before, the thrust they produce would push the plane forward. Solution to be adopted to decrease cost!!
2006-08-13 07:19:27 · answer #8 · answered by fadil2005 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no, the sealed nature of the aircraft means that the downthrust the birds use to fly is eventualy applied to the aircraft, therefore the loaded weight of the aircraft is the same.
although technically between downbeats of the wing the loaded weight of the plane would be lighter and during downbeats it would be heavier...
with any significant number of birds this would average out.
a comparison:
would the loaded weight of the plane be lighter if it was full of people and they all jumped up and down in unison? ...... yes it would be lighter while they were jumped up but it would be heavier while they were jumping.
2006-08-11 07:18:01 · answer #9 · answered by only1doug 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yes, they are supporting their own weight on air. since Boyle's law states that a fluid (air) exerts equal pressure in every direction, then the downward thrust that sustains the bird's flight, would be spread in every direction, cancelling each other out.
If this did not occur, then if you walked in the park and a 250 tonne airliner flew over you, you would be flattened by the down force.
2006-08-12 06:18:55 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋