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Drag Force

Fluid Mechanics · FE Reference Handbook section

Fluid Mechanics
7 formulas
10 exam-style examples
~59 min
All Fluid Mechanics lectures

Handbook notes for this section

Definitions and conditions exactly as the handbook states them.

  • The drag force FD on objects immersed in a large body of flowing fluid or objects moving through a stagnant fluid is
  • air foils with axes perpendicular to the flow
  • For flat plates placed parallel with the flow:
  • The characteristic length in the Reynolds Number (Re) is the length of the plate parallel with the flow. For blunt objects, the
  • characteristic length is the largest linear dimension (diameter of cylinder, sphere, disk, etc.) that is perpendicular to the flow.

Core formulas for this FE topic

Definitions, applicability, units, assumptions and worked examples for each relation.

Worked exam-style examples

The four ways this section is written on the real exam — thoughts first, then equations, then substitution.

Example 1
Drag force — solve for drag force — Drag Force

the drag force on a sphere settling through a fluid Given drag coefficient (C_D) = 0.4900; fluid density (rho) = 443.0 kg/m^3; relative velocity (V) = 19.5000 m/s; frontal area (A) = 3.7500 m^2, determine the drag force (F_D) in N.

Given

  • dragcoefficient(CD)=0.4900drag coefficient (C_D) = 0.4900
  • fluiddensity(rho)=443.0kg/m3fluid density (rho) = 443.0 kg/m^3
  • relativevelocity(V)=19.5000m/srelative velocity (V) = 19.5000 m/s
  • frontalarea(A)=3.7500m2frontal area (A) = 3.7500 m^2

Find

drag force (F_D), in N

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Drag force.
  • Everything except F_D is given, so isolate F_D symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • The drag force on a body moving through a fluid depends on the drag coefficient, velocity, and frontal area.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    FD=CDρV22AF_D = C_D \dfrac{\rho V^2}{2} A
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that F_D stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3 — List the givens: drag coefficient (C_D) = 0.4900, fluid density (rho) = 443.0 kg/m^3, relative velocity (V) = 19.5000 m/s, frontal area (A) = 3.7500 m^2.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    FD=154764 NF_{D} = 154764\ \text{N}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning F_D = 154,764 N to

    FD=CDρV22AF_D = C_D \dfrac{\rho V^2}{2} A

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
FD=154764 NF_{D} = 154764\ \text{N}

Why the other options are there

  • 309,528 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 77,382 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 170,241 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Handbook — Drag Force

Example 2
Drag force — solve for relative velocity — Drag Force (2)

the drag force on an automobile modeled with a drag coefficient Given drag coefficient (C_D) = 0.5700; fluid density (rho) = 802.0 kg/m^3; frontal area (A) = 0.8000 m^2; drag force (F_D) = 18,810 N, determine the relative velocity (V) in m/s.

Given

  • dragcoefficient(CD)=0.5700drag coefficient (C_D) = 0.5700
  • fluiddensity(rho)=802.0kg/m3fluid density (rho) = 802.0 kg/m^3
  • frontalarea(A)=0.8000m2frontal area (A) = 0.8000 m^2
  • dragforce(FD)=18,810Ndrag force (F_D) = 18,810 N

Find

relative velocity (V), in m/s

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Drag force.
  • Everything except V is given, so isolate V symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • The drag force on a body moving through a fluid depends on the drag coefficient, velocity, and frontal area.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    FD=CDρV22AF_D = C_D \dfrac{\rho V^2}{2} A
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that V stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3 — List the givens: drag coefficient (C_D) = 0.5700, fluid density (rho) = 802.0 kg/m^3, frontal area (A) = 0.8000 m^2, drag force (F_D) = 18,810 N.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    V=10.1424 m/sV = 10.1424\ \text{m/s}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning V = 10.1424 m/s to

    FD=CDρV22AF_D = C_D \dfrac{\rho V^2}{2} A

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
V=10.1424 m/sV = 10.1424\ \text{m/s}

Why the other options are there

  • 20.2848 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 5.0712 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 11.1566 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Handbook — Drag Force

Example 3
Drag force — solve for frontal area — Drag Force (3)

the drag force on a piling exposed to river flow Given drag coefficient (C_D) = 1.1700; fluid density (rho) = 7.0000 kg/m^3; relative velocity (V) = 15.5000 m/s; drag force (F_D) = 1,046 N, determine the frontal area (A) in m^2.

Given

  • dragcoefficient(CD)=1.1700drag coefficient (C_D) = 1.1700
  • fluiddensity(rho)=7.0000kg/m3fluid density (rho) = 7.0000 kg/m^3
  • relativevelocity(V)=15.5000m/srelative velocity (V) = 15.5000 m/s
  • dragforce(FD)=1,046Ndrag force (F_D) = 1,046 N

Find

frontal area (A), in m^2

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Drag force.
  • Everything except A is given, so isolate A symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • The drag force on a body moving through a fluid depends on the drag coefficient, velocity, and frontal area.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    FD=CDρV22AF_D = C_D \dfrac{\rho V^2}{2} A
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that A stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3 — List the givens: drag coefficient (C_D) = 1.1700, fluid density (rho) = 7.0000 kg/m^3, relative velocity (V) = 15.5000 m/s, drag force (F_D) = 1,046 N.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    A = 1.0632\ \text{m^2}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning A = 1.0632 m^2 to

    FD=CDρV22AF_D = C_D \dfrac{\rho V^2}{2} A

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
A = 1.0632\ \text{m^2}

Why the other options are there

  • 2.1264 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 0.5316 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 1.1695 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Handbook — Drag Force

Example 4
Drag force — solve for drag force (case 2) — Drag Force (4)

the drag force on a sphere settling through a fluid Given drag coefficient (C_D) = 0.6600; fluid density (rho) = 457.0 kg/m^3; relative velocity (V) = 6.0000 m/s; frontal area (A) = 0.6000 m^2, determine the drag force (F_D) in N.

Given

  • dragcoefficient(CD)=0.6600drag coefficient (C_D) = 0.6600
  • fluiddensity(rho)=457.0kg/m3fluid density (rho) = 457.0 kg/m^3
  • relativevelocity(V)=6.0000m/srelative velocity (V) = 6.0000 m/s
  • frontalarea(A)=0.6000m2frontal area (A) = 0.6000 m^2

Find

drag force (F_D), in N

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Drag force.
  • Everything except F_D is given, so isolate F_D symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • The drag force on a body moving through a fluid depends on the drag coefficient, velocity, and frontal area.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    FD=CDρV22AF_D = C_D \dfrac{\rho V^2}{2} A
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that F_D stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3 — List the givens: drag coefficient (C_D) = 0.6600, fluid density (rho) = 457.0 kg/m^3, relative velocity (V) = 6.0000 m/s, frontal area (A) = 0.6000 m^2.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    FD=3257 NF_{D} = 3257\ \text{N}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning F_D = 3,257 N to

    FD=CDρV22AF_D = C_D \dfrac{\rho V^2}{2} A

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
FD=3257 NF_{D} = 3257\ \text{N}

Why the other options are there

  • 6,515 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 1,629 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 3,583 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Handbook — Drag Force

Example 5
Drag force — solve for relative velocity (case 2) — Drag Force (5)

the drag force on an automobile modeled with a drag coefficient Given drag coefficient (C_D) = 0.4100; fluid density (rho) = 42.0000 kg/m^3; frontal area (A) = 4.9000 m^2; drag force (F_D) = 4,866 N, determine the relative velocity (V) in m/s.

Given

  • dragcoefficient(CD)=0.4100drag coefficient (C_D) = 0.4100
  • fluiddensity(rho)=42.0000kg/m3fluid density (rho) = 42.0000 kg/m^3
  • frontalarea(A)=4.9000m2frontal area (A) = 4.9000 m^2
  • dragforce(FD)=4,866Ndrag force (F_D) = 4,866 N

Find

relative velocity (V), in m/s

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Drag force.
  • Everything except V is given, so isolate V symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • The drag force on a body moving through a fluid depends on the drag coefficient, velocity, and frontal area.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    FD=CDρV22AF_D = C_D \dfrac{\rho V^2}{2} A
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that V stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3 — List the givens: drag coefficient (C_D) = 0.4100, fluid density (rho) = 42.0000 kg/m^3, frontal area (A) = 4.9000 m^2, drag force (F_D) = 4,866 N.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    V=10.7396 m/sV = 10.7396\ \text{m/s}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning V = 10.7396 m/s to

    FD=CDρV22AF_D = C_D \dfrac{\rho V^2}{2} A

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
V=10.7396 m/sV = 10.7396\ \text{m/s}

Why the other options are there

  • 21.4791 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 5.3698 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 11.8135 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Handbook — Drag Force

Example 6
Drag force — solve for frontal area (case 2) — Drag Force (6)

the drag force on a piling exposed to river flow Given drag coefficient (C_D) = 0.6800; fluid density (rho) = 245.0 kg/m^3; relative velocity (V) = 20.5000 m/s; drag force (F_D) = 13,394 N, determine the frontal area (A) in m^2.

Given

  • dragcoefficient(CD)=0.6800drag coefficient (C_D) = 0.6800
  • fluiddensity(rho)=245.0kg/m3fluid density (rho) = 245.0 kg/m^3
  • relativevelocity(V)=20.5000m/srelative velocity (V) = 20.5000 m/s
  • dragforce(FD)=13,394Ndrag force (F_D) = 13,394 N

Find

frontal area (A), in m^2

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Drag force.
  • Everything except A is given, so isolate A symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • The drag force on a body moving through a fluid depends on the drag coefficient, velocity, and frontal area.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    FD=CDρV22AF_D = C_D \dfrac{\rho V^2}{2} A
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that A stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3 — List the givens: drag coefficient (C_D) = 0.6800, fluid density (rho) = 245.0 kg/m^3, relative velocity (V) = 20.5000 m/s, drag force (F_D) = 13,394 N.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    A = 0.3826\ \text{m^2}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning A = 0.3826 m^2 to

    FD=CDρV22AF_D = C_D \dfrac{\rho V^2}{2} A

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
A = 0.3826\ \text{m^2}

Why the other options are there

  • 0.7652 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 0.1913 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 0.4209 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Handbook — Drag Force

Example 7
Drag force — solve for drag force (case 3) — Drag Force (7)

the drag force on a sphere settling through a fluid Given drag coefficient (C_D) = 1.0000; fluid density (rho) = 950.0 kg/m^3; relative velocity (V) = 15.5000 m/s; frontal area (A) = 2.9000 m^2, determine the drag force (F_D) in N.

Given

  • dragcoefficient(CD)=1.0000drag coefficient (C_D) = 1.0000
  • fluiddensity(rho)=950.0kg/m3fluid density (rho) = 950.0 kg/m^3
  • relativevelocity(V)=15.5000m/srelative velocity (V) = 15.5000 m/s
  • frontalarea(A)=2.9000m2frontal area (A) = 2.9000 m^2

Find

drag force (F_D), in N

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Drag force.
  • Everything except F_D is given, so isolate F_D symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • The drag force on a body moving through a fluid depends on the drag coefficient, velocity, and frontal area.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    FD=CDρV22AF_D = C_D \dfrac{\rho V^2}{2} A
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that F_D stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3 — List the givens: drag coefficient (C_D) = 1.0000, fluid density (rho) = 950.0 kg/m^3, relative velocity (V) = 15.5000 m/s, frontal area (A) = 2.9000 m^2.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    FD=330944 NF_{D} = 330944\ \text{N}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning F_D = 330,944 N to

    FD=CDρV22AF_D = C_D \dfrac{\rho V^2}{2} A

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
FD=330944 NF_{D} = 330944\ \text{N}

Why the other options are there

  • 661,889 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 165,472 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 364,039 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Handbook — Drag Force

Example 8
Drag force — solve for relative velocity (case 3) — Drag Force (8)

the drag force on an automobile modeled with a drag coefficient Given drag coefficient (C_D) = 0.3200; fluid density (rho) = 846.0 kg/m^3; frontal area (A) = 1.1500 m^2; drag force (F_D) = 17,578 N, determine the relative velocity (V) in m/s.

Given

  • dragcoefficient(CD)=0.3200drag coefficient (C_D) = 0.3200
  • fluiddensity(rho)=846.0kg/m3fluid density (rho) = 846.0 kg/m^3
  • frontalarea(A)=1.1500m2frontal area (A) = 1.1500 m^2
  • dragforce(FD)=17,578Ndrag force (F_D) = 17,578 N

Find

relative velocity (V), in m/s

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Drag force.
  • Everything except V is given, so isolate V symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • The drag force on a body moving through a fluid depends on the drag coefficient, velocity, and frontal area.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    FD=CDρV22AF_D = C_D \dfrac{\rho V^2}{2} A
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that V stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3 — List the givens: drag coefficient (C_D) = 0.3200, fluid density (rho) = 846.0 kg/m^3, frontal area (A) = 1.1500 m^2, drag force (F_D) = 17,578 N.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    V=10.6265 m/sV = 10.6265\ \text{m/s}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning V = 10.6265 m/s to

    FD=CDρV22AF_D = C_D \dfrac{\rho V^2}{2} A

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
V=10.6265 m/sV = 10.6265\ \text{m/s}

Why the other options are there

  • 21.2530 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 5.3133 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 11.6892 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Handbook — Drag Force

Example 9
Drag force — solve for frontal area (case 3) — Drag Force (9)

the drag force on a piling exposed to river flow Given drag coefficient (C_D) = 0.7400; fluid density (rho) = 849.0 kg/m^3; relative velocity (V) = 17.0000 m/s; drag force (F_D) = 8,523 N, determine the frontal area (A) in m^2.

Given

  • dragcoefficient(CD)=0.7400drag coefficient (C_D) = 0.7400
  • fluiddensity(rho)=849.0kg/m3fluid density (rho) = 849.0 kg/m^3
  • relativevelocity(V)=17.0000m/srelative velocity (V) = 17.0000 m/s
  • dragforce(FD)=8,523Ndrag force (F_D) = 8,523 N

Find

frontal area (A), in m^2

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Drag force.
  • Everything except A is given, so isolate A symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • The drag force on a body moving through a fluid depends on the drag coefficient, velocity, and frontal area.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    FD=CDρV22AF_D = C_D \dfrac{\rho V^2}{2} A
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that A stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3 — List the givens: drag coefficient (C_D) = 0.7400, fluid density (rho) = 849.0 kg/m^3, relative velocity (V) = 17.0000 m/s, drag force (F_D) = 8,523 N.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    A = 0.0939\ \text{m^2}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning A = 0.0939 m^2 to

    FD=CDρV22AF_D = C_D \dfrac{\rho V^2}{2} A

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
A = 0.0939\ \text{m^2}

Why the other options are there

  • 0.1878 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 0.0469 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 0.1033 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Handbook — Drag Force

Example 10
Drag force — solve for drag force (case 4) — Drag Force (10)

the drag force on a sphere settling through a fluid Given drag coefficient (C_D) = 0.2800; fluid density (rho) = 805.0 kg/m^3; relative velocity (V) = 6.5000 m/s; frontal area (A) = 2.9000 m^2, determine the drag force (F_D) in N.

Given

  • dragcoefficient(CD)=0.2800drag coefficient (C_D) = 0.2800
  • fluiddensity(rho)=805.0kg/m3fluid density (rho) = 805.0 kg/m^3
  • relativevelocity(V)=6.5000m/srelative velocity (V) = 6.5000 m/s
  • frontalarea(A)=2.9000m2frontal area (A) = 2.9000 m^2

Find

drag force (F_D), in N

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Drag force.
  • Everything except F_D is given, so isolate F_D symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • The drag force on a body moving through a fluid depends on the drag coefficient, velocity, and frontal area.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    FD=CDρV22AF_D = C_D \dfrac{\rho V^2}{2} A
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that F_D stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3 — List the givens: drag coefficient (C_D) = 0.2800, fluid density (rho) = 805.0 kg/m^3, relative velocity (V) = 6.5000 m/s, frontal area (A) = 2.9000 m^2.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    FD=13809 NF_{D} = 13809\ \text{N}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning F_D = 13,809 N to

    FD=CDρV22AF_D = C_D \dfrac{\rho V^2}{2} A

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
FD=13809 NF_{D} = 13809\ \text{N}

Why the other options are there

  • 27,617 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 6,904 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 15,189 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Handbook — Drag Force

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