Atmospheric Drag
In the context of aviation, atmospheric drag, also known as air resistance, is a force that opposes the motion of an aircraft through the atmosphere. It is caused by the interaction between the aircraft's surface and the air molecules. The amount of atmospheric drag an aircraft experiences depends on several factors including the shape and size of the aircraft, the speed at which it is traveling, the density of the air, and the viscosity of the air. There are two primary types of atmospheric drag: parasitic drag and induced drag. Parasitic drag is composed of form drag (resistance due to the shape of the aircraft), skin friction (resistance due to the friction between the air and the aircraft's surface), and interference drag (resistance at the intersection of different parts of the aircraft). Induced drag is related to the generation of lift and increases with a decrease in speed. Understanding and managing atmospheric drag is crucial in aviation as it directly impacts the aircraft's performance, fuel efficiency, and safety.
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