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air resistance

Primary Information
Secondary Information

Definition

Air resistance is a force that opposes the motion of objects through the air. It is also known as drag. Air resistance is caused by the collision of air molecules with the surface of an object. The faster an object moves, the more air molecules it collides with, and the greater the air resistance.

Air resistance is an important factor in many different situations, such as:

  • The flight of aeroplanes: Air resistance slows down aeroplanes, so they need to be moving very fast to stay in the air.
  • The design of cars: Cars are designed to minimise air resistance so that they can travel faster.
  • The movement of objects through water: Air resistance is also present underwater, but it is much less than air resistance in air.

Air resistance can be a force for good or bad. For example, air resistance helps to slow down aeroplanes so that they can land safely. However, air resistance can also make it difficult for objects to move through the air, which can be a problem for aeroplanes and other vehicles.

There are a number of ways to reduce air resistance. One way is to make objects more aerodynamic. This means making objects have a smooth, streamlined shape that minimises the amount of air that can collide with them. Another way to reduce air resistance is to make objects lighter. This is because lighter objects have less inertia, which means they are less affected by air resistance.

Air resistance is a complex phenomenon, and there is still much that we do not know about it. However, it is an important factor to consider in many different situations.

How can the word be used?

The air resistance was so great that the plane could not take off.

air resistance

Different forms of the word

Noun:

  • air resistance (no plural form).
  • the force that air exerts on an object as it moves through the air.

Adjective:

  • air-resistant.
  • able to withstand the force of air resistance.

Verb:

  • air-resist.
  • to oppose the force of air resistance.

Etymology

The word "air resistance" is a compound noun that is made up of the words "air" and "resistance." The word "air" refers to the gaseous mixture that surrounds the Earth, and the word "resistance" refers to the opposition to the motion of an object.

Question

How does air resistance help planes take off?

AQA Science Exam Question and Answer

Question: How does air resistance affect the speed of a falling object?

This question would test your understanding of the relationship between air resistance and the speed of a falling object. You would need to be able to explain that air resistance opposes the motion of an object and that it increases as the speed of the object increases.

Here is a possible answer to the question:

  • Air resistance is the force that opposes the motion of an object through a fluid, such as air. As an object falls, it gains speed and the air resistance increases. This means that the object falls slower than it would if there was no air resistance.
  • The amount of air resistance that an object experiences depends on a number of factors, including the shape of the object, the size of the object, and the density of the air. Objects with a smooth, streamlined shape experience less air resistance than objects with a rough, irregular shape. Objects that are larger experience more air resistance than objects that are smaller. And objects that are falling through air that is denser experience more air resistance than objects that are falling through air that is less dense.
  • Air resistance is an important factor in the motion of objects through the air. By understanding how air resistance works, we can better understand how objects move and how they can be controlled.