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Kite Aerodynamics 2D: Lift, Drag & String Tension

A 2D kite lab driven by real lift/drag forces from the relative wind and angle of attack, plus an inextensible-string constraint — adjust wind speed, turbulence, string length and trim and watch tension and altitude respond live.

Physics & Mechanics2DModerate60 FPS📱 Mobile-adapted⇄ 3D version

This 2D companion replaces the 3D version's scripted sway with a real force model: lift and drag are computed each frame from the kite's velocity relative to a gusty wind field and a user-set angle of attack, and the string is enforced as an inextensible constraint rather than an animated curve, so tension and altitude are genuine outputs of the physics, not decoration.

⚙ Under the hood

Lift/drag from dynamic pressure and a stall-limited CL(α) curve, drag along the relative-wind vector, gravity, and a position-based inextensible-string constraint around the anchor point.

kite flightaerodynamicslift and dragangle of attackstring tensionwind resistance

2D · HTML5 Canvas 2D · 60 FPS target · runs fully client-side, no install