Mass Flow Rate in the context of aircraft design refers to the amount of mass that passes through a specific point or section of an aircraft’s systems per unit of time. It is a fundamental parameter used in aerodynamics, propulsion, and fluid dynamics to describe the flow of air or other fluids through various components of an aircraft.
Mass Flow Rate Formula: The formula for calculating mass flow rate (ṁ) is straightforward:
- ṁ: Mass Flow Rate, typically measured in kilograms per second (kg/s).
- ρ (Rho): Density of the fluid, usually measured in kilograms per cubic meter (kg/m³).
- A: Cross-sectional area through which the fluid is flowing, measured in square meters (m²).
- V: Velocity of the fluid, measured in meters per second (m/s).