17.3.2. Numerical Experiments

Try these first

1. 1.

   Define drag force in fluid mechanics.

   Hint

   Think about what a fluid does when an object moves through it.

2. 2.

   What factor influences the coefficient of drag?

   Hint

   Remember the effects of different shapes in nature.

3. 3.

   What is drag force?

   • A force opposite to motion
   • A force enabling rise
   • A static force

   Hint

   Consider what happens when something moves through a medium.

4. 4.

   True or False: Lift forces act perpendicular to the motion of an object.

   • True
   • False

   Hint

   Think about how birds take off.

5. 5.

   A 10kg object falls through air with a drag coefficient of 0.8. If the terminal velocity is achieved at a speed of 50 m/s, calculate the buoyant force acting on it.

   Hint

   Start by calculating the weight of the object and relate it to drag.

6. 6.

   Analyze how altering the shape of a vehicle could decrease drag forces encountered while in motion at high speeds.

   Hint

   Think about why sports cars and airplanes have their specific designs.