air resistance
Wind pushing back
Air resistance is the force that opposes an object's motion through air.
The faster something moves, the greater the resistance—a hand out a car window feels more push at highway speed than in a parking lot.
Also called drag.
The skydiver spread her limbs to maximize air resistance before opening the parachute.
Maximum speed during freefall
- parachuteDrag-creating descent device
- free fallUnimpeded gravitational descent
- chuteInclined passage for descent
- skydivingRecreational freefall from aircraft
wingsuit · drogue · canopy · deployment · body position · spread eagle · tracking · deceleration
Measure of aerodynamic resistance
- streamliningMaking more aerodynamic or efficient
- turbulenceChaotic flow patterns
- laminar flowSmooth, parallel fluid motion
- boundary layerViscous region near walls
vortex · wake · eddy · aerofoil · airfoil · pressure differential · wind tunnel · airflow
Mechanism for vertical transport
- glideMove with effortless continuity
- soarAscend to heights
- wingLimb enabling flight
- featherBird's body covering
bird · insect · bat · hang glider · paraglider · glider · sailplane · kite
Minimizing drag through shape
- slipstreamAerodynamic wake zone
- draftingCreating technical blueprints
- spoilerPremature ending disclosure
- diffuserDevice that scatters evenly
fairing · streamlined · wind deflector · air dam · roof rack · fuel efficiency · headwind · crosswind
One who pedals
- pelotonMain cycling group
- draftingCreating technical blueprints
- tuck positionCurled-up body shape
- skinsuitForm-fitting athletic garment
time trial · speed skating · downhill skiing · bobsled · luge · speed suit · dimpled · golf ball
terminal velocity
Maximum speed during freefall
- parachuteDrag-creating descent device
- free fallUnimpeded gravitational descent
- chuteInclined passage for descent
skydiving · wingsuit · drogue · canopy · deployment · body position · spread eagle · tracking · deceleration · air brake
drag coefficient
Measure of aerodynamic resistance
- streamliningMaking more aerodynamic or efficient
- turbulenceChaotic flow patterns
- laminar flowSmooth, parallel fluid motion
boundary layer · vortex · wake · eddy · aerofoil · airfoil · pressure differential · wind tunnel · airflow · slipstream
lift
Mechanism for vertical transport
feather · bird · insect · bat · hang glider · paraglider · glider · sailplane · kite · balloon
aerodynamic
Minimizing drag through shape
- slipstreamAerodynamic wake zone
- draftingCreating technical blueprints
- spoilerPremature ending disclosure
diffuser · fairing · streamlined · wind deflector · air dam · roof rack · fuel efficiency · headwind · crosswind · wind noise
cyclist
One who pedals
- pelotonMain cycling group
- draftingCreating technical blueprints
- tuck positionCurled-up body shape
skinsuit · time trial · speed skating · downhill skiing · bobsled · luge · speed suit · dimpled · golf ball · shuttlecock
- forcesgravity, force, electromagnetism, thrust, drag
- projectile physicstrajectory, projectile motion, launch angle, velocity, gravity
- wind forceswind pressure, wind load, wind speed, gusts, crosswind
- dragdrag, drag queen, drag queens, drag king, drag kings
- ballisticsballistics, bullet, bullet drop, cartridge, trajectory
- rowing machineserg, ergometer, rowing machine, flywheel, damper
air resistancethrust
Forceful forward motion
propulsion · driving force · acceleration · tailwind · impetus