17. Drag and Lift
The chapter covers the fundamental concepts of drag and lift forces in fluid mechanics, exploring their definitions and applications in various scenarios, including sports and engineering design. It emphasizes the role of coefficients of drag and lift, as well as their dependence on factors like shape, velocity, and Reynolds number. Real-life examples illustrate these concepts, culminating in practical exercises and activities that deepen understanding of drag and lift phenomena.
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What we have learnt
- Drag and lift are essential forces acting on objects moving through fluids.
- The coefficient of drag (Cd) varies with the shape of the body and flow conditions.
- Understanding drag and lift is crucial for optimizing designs in various applications, including vehicles and sports equipment.
Key Concepts
- -- Drag Force
- A force exerted by a fluid on a body in the direction of the flow. It depends on the velocity of the fluid, the density of the fluid, and the shape of the object.
- -- Lift Force
- A force that acts perpendicular to the direction of the fluid flow, generated due to pressure differences caused by the shape of the object and its velocity.
- -- Coefficient of Drag (Cd)
- A dimensionless number that describes the drag force experienced by an object in a fluid, defined as the ratio of drag force to dynamic pressure and reference area.
- -- Reynolds Number
- A dimensionless quantity that helps predict flow patterns in different fluid flow situations, defined as the ratio of inertial forces to viscous forces.
Additional Learning Materials
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