« previous next »
Pages: [1]   Go Down

Author Topic: Aerodynamic Trivia  (Read 497 times)

Offline DREDger

  • Persona Non Grata
  • Nickel Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 766
Aerodynamic Trivia
« on: November 21, 2008, 05:17:16 PM »
I've got some engineering trivia...

Can anyone tell me what geometric shape is the most aerodynamic?  That is to say which creates the least amount of drag travelling through the atmosphere.

It wasn't what I first thought, but when I learned the answer, it was like 'of course, how obvious!' :O
Logged

Offline JAGED

  • Nickel Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 587
Re: Aerodynamic Trivia
« Reply #1 on: November 21, 2008, 05:18:11 PM »
Quote from: DREDger on November 21, 2008, 05:17:16 PM
I've got some engineering trivia...

Can anyone tell me what geometric shape is the most aerodynamic?  That is to say which creates the least amount of drag travelling through the atmosphere.

It wasn't what I first thought, but when I learned the answer, it was like 'of course, how obvious!' :O


Frisbee?  :D
Logged
"I post facts.   If I post anything thats not a fact, I ask if people know whether it is fact or drivel first..."    SkyRock (ROFL LMFAO)

Offline Bronk

  • Persona Non Grata
  • Plutonium Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 9044
Re: Aerodynamic Trivia
« Reply #2 on: November 21, 2008, 05:21:02 PM »
Quote from: DREDger on November 21, 2008, 05:17:16 PM
I've got some engineering trivia...

Can anyone tell me what geometric shape is the most aerodynamic?  That is to say which creates the least amount of drag travelling through the atmosphere.

It wasn't what I first thought, but when I learned the answer, it was like 'of course, how obvious!' :O

Raindrop?
Edit : skipped the geometric duhhhhh. :D
« Last Edit: November 21, 2008, 05:22:45 PM by Bronk »
Logged
See Rule #4

Offline JAGED

  • Nickel Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 587
Re: Aerodynamic Trivia
« Reply #3 on: November 21, 2008, 05:24:00 PM »
How about a small radius cylinder, like an arrow...
Logged
"I post facts.   If I post anything thats not a fact, I ask if people know whether it is fact or drivel first..."    SkyRock (ROFL LMFAO)

Offline DREDger

  • Persona Non Grata
  • Nickel Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 766
Re: Aerodynamic Trivia
« Reply #4 on: November 21, 2008, 05:25:42 PM »
Bronk wins the prize, yep, the raindrop or teardrop.

We ran experiements in lab years ago, and put different geometric shapes in a wind tunnel and measured the drag.  The raindrop or tear drop shape will always produce the least drag.  (An academic exercise, of course this has been known for years, and not to imply we discovered anything new)

Nothing more to see here, move along
Logged

Offline PFactorDave

  • Platinum Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 4334
Re: Aerodynamic Trivia
« Reply #5 on: November 21, 2008, 05:40:30 PM »
Quote from: DREDger on November 21, 2008, 05:25:42 PM
Bronk wins the prize, yep, the raindrop or teardrop.

We ran experiements in lab years ago, and put different geometric shapes in a wind tunnel and measured the drag.  The raindrop or tear drop shape will always produce the least drag.  (An academic exercise, of course this has been known for years, and not to imply we discovered anything new)

Nothing more to see here, move along

Not surprising, especially if you take a look at isometric airfoil cross sections.  They usually closely resemble an elongated rain drop.
Logged

1st Lieutenant
FSO Liaison Officer
Rolling Thunder

Offline Grayeagle

  • Silver Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1488
Re: Aerodynamic Trivia
« Reply #6 on: November 22, 2008, 01:21:26 AM »
Of course .. anyone who read E.E. 'Doc' Smith's Skylark of Valeron series would know that :)

(ok ok . any aerodynamic course covers it too .. but .. not as much fun to read a text book..
..for most people.. I kinda liked it ..its why I still have 'em)

-GE
Logged
'The better I shoot ..the less I have to manuever'
-GE
Pages: [1]   Go Up
« previous next »