👉 In the context of mechanical engineering, a flapper is a type of valve that functions as an air or gas plunger. It's often used in applications such as ball valves, where it helps to control the flow rate and pressure inside the pipeline. For example, a ball valve typically has a flapper at its center, which allows for easier opening and closing of the valve compared to other types like a slide-gate or a butterfly valve. This is because the flapper provides a point of