nPosted on August 27, 2020
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Key Points
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nAnd its first successful flight was on this date in 1939.
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nEarly airplanes were powered by gasoline-fueled piston engines. The engine of an early airplane would spin a propeller, and the wing-shaped blades of the propeller provided thrust in a similar way to wings providing lift. The difference in air pressure between the back of the propeller blade and the front of the propeller blade pushes the plane forward.
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nJet engines provide even more thrust – and so jet planes can travel further, faster than prop-planes. Another name for a jet engine is a gas turbine.
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nThe engine sucks in air (gas) with a fan.
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nThe compressor has many blades attached to a shaft; when the shaft is rapidly turned, the air is pressed together.
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nThe compressed air is sprayed with fuel, and an electric spark lights it – and the burning gases expand rapidly and shoot out the nozzle on the back of the engine.
(Along the way, the gases enter a turbine with many, many, many blades attached to a shaft – and the rushing air spins the blades, thus turning the shaft.
(Along the way, the gases enter a turbine with many, many, many blades attached to a shaft – and the rushing air spins the blades, thus turning the shaft.
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nThe air rushing out of the back of the engine prompts “an equal and opposite reaction” – and the plane is thrust forward.
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nAlso on this date:
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nMoldova’s Independence Day
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nArtist Alexandra Nechita’s birthday
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n“The Duchess” Who Wasn’t Day
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nAnniversary of the discovery of gallium
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nAnniversary of the installation of the world’s biggest battery
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nInternational Bat Nights
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nJust Because Day
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nAnniversary of the Famous Five establishing that, in Canada, women are persons!
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nPlan ahead:
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nCheck out my Pinterest boards for:
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nAugust holidays
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nAugust birthdays
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nHistorical anniversaries in August
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nAnd here are my Pinterest boards for:
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nSeptember holidays
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nSeptember birthdays
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nHistorical anniversaries in September
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