Aviation & Aeronautics
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Aspect Ratio

Ratio of wingspan squared to wing area; higher AR reduces induced drag.

Formula

AR=b2SAR = \dfrac{b^2}{S}

Variables

ARAspect ratio
bWingspan
SWing area

Example

b=10 m, S=16 m²: AR = 6.25

Did You Know?

High-aspect-ratio wings, like a glider's or the U-2 spy plane's, minimize drag for maximum range.

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