Physics
Flight Dynamics
Quick fact
During cruise, a Boeing 747's wings produce over 2.5 million Newtons of lift—enough to support more than 180 elephants—while the engines provide only about one-tenth of that force in thrust.
Why this is interesting
Every time you board a plane weighing hundreds of tons, you trust that invisible forces will keep it aloft for hours. How does a machine heavier than air not only fly but also turn, climb, and land smoothly?