Water & Air Resistance
Science: KS3, topic 3.2.17
Air and Water Resistance
Water resistance and air resistance are both forms of friction. Both oppose the motion of an object as it travels through the medium.
Water resistance
- Walking through water is harder than walking on land.
- Water resists your motion.
- Water resistance is a form of friction between the object and the water.
Reducing water resistance
- Sharks are streamlined.
- Being streamlined lets sharks travel through water to catch prey.
- The best swimmers reduce contact with water as much as possible.
- Reducing contact reduces friction.
Air resistance
- If you ride a moped, air slows you down.
- Being slowed by air is called air resistance.
- Air resistance is a frictional force.
- As an object moves faster, air resistance increases.
Reducing air resistance
- Aeroplanes are streamlined.
- Being streamlined lets aeroplanes travel through the air smoothly.
- Cyclist and skiers crouch down as much as they can.
- Crouching down reduces air resistance.
Geese and air resistance
- Geese fly in the ‘V’ shape and change positions.
- Changing positions reduces air resistance for the birds at the back.
Test yourself on Water & Air Resistance
Air and water resistance are examples of what?
Which statement is correct?
Geese flying in a V shape take turns changing their position in the group. Why might they do this?