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Latest revision as of 18:29, 18 March 2025
Drag is a term used in physics and aerodynamics to describe the force that opposes an object's motion through a fluid like air or water. It is also used in the context of drag racing, a type of motor racing in which automobiles or motorcycles compete to be the first to cross a set finish line.
Physics and Aerodynamics[edit]
In physics and aerodynamics, drag is a force that opposes an object's motion through a fluid (like air or water). This force can be divided into two types: parasitic drag and induced drag. Parasitic drag, which includes form drag and skin friction, is the drag that does not depend on lift, while induced drag is the drag that does depend on lift.
Parasitic Drag[edit]
Parasitic drag, also known as profile drag, is made up of form drag and skin friction. Form drag is the resistance that an object encounters when moving through a fluid, due to its shape. Skin friction, on the other hand, is the friction between the fluid and the surface of the object moving through it.
Induced Drag[edit]
Induced drag is the drag that depends on lift. It is caused by the vortices at the wingtips of an aircraft, which create a downwash of air behind the aircraft. This downwash results in an upward force on the aircraft, which is the lift, and a backward force, which is the induced drag.
Drag Racing[edit]
In the context of drag racing, drag refers to the resistance that a vehicle encounters when moving through the air. The term "drag racing" originated from the phrase "dragging the main", which was used to describe a car that was driving slowly down the main street of a town. Today, drag racing is a type of motor racing in which automobiles or motorcycles compete to be the first to cross a set finish line.
