Useful formulas that any Aerospace Engineer should know.

Learn them, but more important : understand them !

Standard Sea Level atmospheric conditions Speed of sound

Ps =1.01325 × 10 5
a = γ RT
ρs = 1.225 kg/m3
Specific heat relation
Ts = 288.15 K
Cp − Cv = R
νs =1.45 × 10-5 m2/s
Energy equation
General Gas Law 1
p = ρRT C p T + V 2 = const
2
Gas constant Area rule
R = 287.15 J/kgK dA dV
= ( M 2 -1)
A V
Continuity equation
ρ1A1V1 = ρ 2 A 2 V2 Wall shear stress
dU
Hydrostatic equation τ =µ
dy
dp = −ρgdh
Kinematic viscosity
µ
Euler equation ν=
dp = −ρVdV ρ

Bernoulli's equation Profile drag

1 C Dp = C Dpressure + C Dfriction
p + ρV 2 + ρgh = const
2
Lift, Drag and Pitching moment coefficient
First Law of Thermodynamics L D
CL = 1 ; CD = 1
de=δq+δw 2 ρ V 2
S ρ
2 V S
2

M
Isentropic relations Cm = 1
γ 2 ρ V 2
Sc
p2 ⎛ ρ2 ⎞
=⎜ ⎟
p1 ⎝ ρ1 ⎠ Induced drag
γ C2
p2 ⎛ T 2 ⎞ γ -1 C Di = L
πAe
p1 ⎜⎝ T1 ⎟⎠
=

Total drag
Pressure coefficient C2L
p − p∞ C D = C Dp +
Cp = πAe
q∞
Aspect ratio Approximate 3D lift curve slope
b2 dC L 2π
A= =
S dα 1 + 2
A
Airfoil lift coefficient from pressure
distribution
1
⎛x⎞
C l = ∫ ( C pl − C p u ) d ⎜ ⎟
0 ⎝c⎠