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Pressure drag

Diagram of pressure drag over different shapes.

Pressure drag is caused by the air particles being more compressed (pushed together) on the front-facing surfaces and more spaced out on the back surfaces. This is caused when the layers of air separate away from the surface and begin to swirl – this is called turbulent flow. Note how the wing shape reduces this.

Glossary

Rights: The University of Waikato Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato
Published: 22 February 2011Size: 93.53 KB
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