Drag
Contents
Key Stage 3
Meaning
Drag is a force that acts to decelerate objects that are moving in a fluid.
About Drag
- Drag is a force so it is measured in Newtons.
- Drag is a contact force because an object must be in a fluid for drag to exist.
- When an object is moving through the air drag is called air resistance.
- When an object is moving through the water drag is called water resistance.
- Drag can be reduced by making an object more 'streamlined'.
Key Stage 4
Meaning
Drag is a force that acts to decelerate objects that are moving in a fluid.
About Drag
- Drag is a force so it is measured in Newtons.
- Drag is a contact force because an object must be in a fluid for drag to exist.
- When an object is moving through the air drag is called air resistance.
- When an object is moving through the water drag is called water resistance.
- Drag can be reduced by making an object more 'streamlined'.
- Drag exists because objects moving through a fluid collide with particles in that fluid passing on some of its momentum which causes the object to lose momentum and therefore slow down.
References
AQA
- Drag, page 211, GCSE Combined Science; The Revision Guide, CGP, AQA
- Drag, page 63, GCSE Physics; The Revision Guide, CGP, AQA
- Drag, pages 140, 146, 154, GCSE Physics; Student Book, Collins, AQA
- Drag, pages 159, 160, GCSE Combined Science Trilogy; Physics, CGP, AQA
- Drag, pages 190, 191, GCSE Physics; The Complete 9-1 Course for AQA, CGP, AQA