The pressure coefficient on the upper surface of a flat plate, denoted as Cp,u, is an aerodynamic parameter used to describe the pressure distribution over the upper surface of the flat plate in a fluid flow field. This parameter quantifies how the local pressure at any point on the upper surface of the flat plate compares to the freestream (ambient) pressure. Cp,u provides information about the pressure distribution along the upper surface of the flat plate and helps engineers and aerodynamicists understand how pressure variations affect the aerodynamic forces acting on the plate.
- Pressure coefficient on the upper surface (Cp,u)
- Angle of attack (𝛼) in rad
- Freestream Mach number (M∞)