Home
Back
Average Force of Air Resistance Formula:
| From: | To: |
The average force of air resistance formula calculates the mean resistive force exerted by air on a moving object over a specific time interval. It is derived from the fundamental relationship between momentum change and time.
The calculator uses the average force formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula expresses Newton's second law in terms of momentum change, where the average force equals the rate of change of momentum over time.
Details: Calculating air resistance is crucial for understanding object motion through air, designing aerodynamic vehicles, predicting projectile trajectories, and analyzing energy losses in mechanical systems.
Tips: Enter momentum change in kg·m/s and time interval in seconds. Both values must be positive and non-zero for accurate calculation.
Q1: What is momentum change (Δp)?
A: Momentum change is the difference between final and initial momentum of an object, calculated as mass times change in velocity (m·Δv).
Q2: How is this different from instantaneous air resistance?
A: This formula gives the average force over a time interval, while instantaneous air resistance varies with velocity and other factors at a specific moment.
Q3: What factors affect air resistance?
A: Air resistance depends on object velocity, cross-sectional area, shape (drag coefficient), air density, and surface texture.
Q4: When is this formula most accurate?
A: This formula provides accurate results when air resistance is the dominant force and momentum change is primarily due to air drag effects.
Q5: Can this be used for objects in fluids other than air?
A: Yes, the same principle applies to any fluid, though the magnitude of resistance will differ based on fluid density and viscosity.