Drag Force
Fluid Mechanics · FE Reference Handbook section
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.
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
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
Step 1 — State the governing relation:
Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that F_D stands alone on the left-hand side.
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.
Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.
Step 5 — Evaluate:
Step 6 — Check: returning F_D = 154,764 N to
reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.
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
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
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
Step 1 — State the governing relation:
Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that V stands alone on the left-hand side.
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.
Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.
Step 5 — Evaluate:
Step 6 — Check: returning V = 10.1424 m/s to
reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.
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
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
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
Step 1 — State the governing relation:
Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that A stands alone on the left-hand side.
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.
Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.
Step 5 — Evaluate:
A = 1.0632\ \text{m^2}Step 6 — Check: returning A = 1.0632 m^2 to
reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.
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
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
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
Step 1 — State the governing relation:
Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that F_D stands alone on the left-hand side.
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.
Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.
Step 5 — Evaluate:
Step 6 — Check: returning F_D = 3,257 N to
reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.
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
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
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
Step 1 — State the governing relation:
Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that V stands alone on the left-hand side.
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.
Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.
Step 5 — Evaluate:
Step 6 — Check: returning V = 10.7396 m/s to
reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.
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
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
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
Step 1 — State the governing relation:
Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that A stands alone on the left-hand side.
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.
Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.
Step 5 — Evaluate:
A = 0.3826\ \text{m^2}Step 6 — Check: returning A = 0.3826 m^2 to
reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.
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
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
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
Step 1 — State the governing relation:
Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that F_D stands alone on the left-hand side.
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.
Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.
Step 5 — Evaluate:
Step 6 — Check: returning F_D = 330,944 N to
reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.
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
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
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
Step 1 — State the governing relation:
Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that V stands alone on the left-hand side.
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.
Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.
Step 5 — Evaluate:
Step 6 — Check: returning V = 10.6265 m/s to
reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.
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
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
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
Step 1 — State the governing relation:
Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that A stands alone on the left-hand side.
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.
Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.
Step 5 — Evaluate:
A = 0.0939\ \text{m^2}Step 6 — Check: returning A = 0.0939 m^2 to
reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.
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
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
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
Step 1 — State the governing relation:
Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that F_D stands alone on the left-hand side.
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.
Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.
Step 5 — Evaluate:
Step 6 — Check: returning F_D = 13,809 N to
reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.
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