How to Use This Calculator
- Enter the velocity of the object (in meters per second)
- Enter the mass of the object (in kilograms)
- Enter the cross-sectional area (in square meters)
- Optionally adjust the drag coefficient (default is 0.47 for a sphere)
- Click the "Calculate" button to compute the results
Understanding Air Resistance (Drag Force)
Air resistance, or drag force, is the force that opposes an object's motion through air. It depends on several factors:
- Velocity: Drag increases with the square of velocity
- Mass: Heavier objects are less affected by drag
- Cross-sectional area: Larger surface area creates more resistance
- Drag coefficient: Depends on the shape of the object
- Air density: Higher altitude means lower air density and less drag
Applications
This calculator can be used for:
- Designing vehicles (cars, airplanes, rockets) for better aerodynamics
- Calculating terminal velocity of falling objects
- Understanding sports performance (e.g., drag on a cyclist or swimmer)
- Engineering projects involving airflow