Experimental analysis of propeller thrust in an undergraduate physics laboratory

As propulsive systems are challenging for undergraduates to understand, it is essential to design experiments that can help their visualization and testing. The development of digital technology (high-speed cameras, digital tracking software, or 3D printers) facilitates the implementation of such designs. We proposed to study the thrust produced by a propeller, whose operating principles are based on the conservation of linear momentum. The study was carried out on an air track to avoid frictional forces. Several system characteristics were established, such as the propellor’s rotation speed and angle of attack and different magnitudes were determined, including the dynamic thrust and static force values. 3D CAD software was used to design the propellers for the experiments, and 3D printers to produce them.