The “lift per unit span” () for a flat plate in supersonic flow refers to the aerodynamic force perpendicular to the direction of the incoming flow, acting on a unit span length of the flat plate. In the context of a flat plate in supersonic flow, lift is generated due to the pressure difference between the top and bottom surfaces of the plate, similar to how lift is generated in subsonic flows.
- Lift per unit span (L’) in N/m
- Pressure on the bottom surface (p3) in N/m^2
- Pressure on the top surface (p2) in N/m^2
- Flat plate of length (c) in m
- Angle of attack (𝛼) in rad