What deos this mean?

Question

The engines do not produce as much power as they do at lower altitudes, but less is needed because the air is thinner and less force is needed to move the airplane at a given speed. (this is about airplanes)?

Answer 1

It means just what I said, Dan.  At high altitudes, the air is thinner; therefore, not as much force is required to push the airplane through the air.  To see what I mean, try moving your finger through a pan of cool water, and then through a pan of thick pea soup.  See how much harder it is with the soup?

The pan of water represesnts thinner air at higher altitude, whereas the pan of pea soup represents the thicker air near sea level.

In the same way, the airplane moves more easily at high altitudes.  This compensates to some extent for the fact that then engines don't produce as much power at higher altitudes.

They don't produce as much power because they don't have as much air to combine the fuel with, and this is why they use less fuel up high, saving the airline money.

I don't know how much more simply this can be stated.  But if you still don't understand, let us know, and we'll try again.

Now I'm hungry.  Pea soup for supper!

Good luck!

Answer 2

Max speed does not occur at sea level.  Rather it occurs at a higher altitude.  There's less oxygen so the engine develops less power, but the reduced air density reduces drag.

Answer 3

the air is thiner the higher you get so it dont need as much power to move it and keep it moving. hope that helps.

Answer 4

that should read higher altitudes not lower. The air is thinner the higher you fly and can throttle back and cruise,, You use more power on takeoff than you would at 31,000

Answer 5

The oxygen and water content at 30,000 feet is significantly less than at sea level, thereby making the air "thinner". With less molecules to create friction and less oxygen to create jet thrust the trade off comes in economy. Airliners at altitude burn less fuel than when they are at low altitudes. Also engine efficiency is boosted by the cooler air at altitude.

The physics of jet engines are remarkable. They created the breakthrough that has allowed transportation to achieve the record numbers of safe flights we now have.