What is the aerodynamic force on a body acting parallel and opposite to relative wind?

What is the aerodynamic force on a body acting parallel and opposite to relative wind?

• A. Drag
• B. Lift
• C. Feedback
• D. Feathering

Answer: (A)

Drag is the aerodynamic force that acts parallel to the relative wind and opposite the direction of motion through the air. When an object moves or air moves past it, the flow creates resistance that slows the object along the line of travel. This resistance is what we call drag. Lift, in contrast, acts perpendicular to the relative wind and is the force responsible for supporting weight in many flight situations. The other terms don’t describe a force acting along the flow: feedback isn’t an airflow force, and feathering refers to changing rotor blade pitch, not a force along the relative wind.

Drag is the aerodynamic force that acts parallel to the relative wind and opposite the direction of motion through the air. When an object moves or air moves past it, the flow creates resistance that slows the object along the line of travel. This resistance is what we call drag. Lift, in contrast, acts perpendicular to the relative wind and is the force responsible for supporting weight in many flight situations. The other terms don’t describe a force acting along the flow: feedback isn’t an airflow force, and feathering refers to changing rotor blade pitch, not a force along the relative wind.