Fluid Mechanics - Engineering

Q1:

Drag is the force component exerted on an immersed object,

A passing the centroid of the body at 60°to the direction of motion.

B the component being parallel to theflow direction.

C the component being normal to the flow direction.

D none of these.

ANS:B - the component being parallel to theflow direction.

The definition of drag in fluid dynamics is: Drag is the force component exerted on an immersed object parallel to the flow direction. Here’s an explanation:

  • Parallel to the flow direction: Drag force is the resistance force exerted by a fluid on an object moving through it in the direction opposite to its motion. This force acts parallel to the relative motion between the fluid and the object.
Let's analyze the other options provided:
  • Passing the centroid of the body at 60° to the direction of motion: This describes a specific case of a force component acting at an angle to the direction of motion, not the definition of drag itself.
  • The component being parallel to the flow direction: This is the correct definition of drag force, as explained above.
  • The component being normal to the flow direction: This describes a perpendicular force component to the flow direction, which is not characteristic of drag force.
  • None of these: While some of the options describe aspects related to forces acting on objects in fluids, the correct definition of drag is specifically the force component parallel to the flow direction.
Therefore, the correct answer regarding drag force is: the component being parallel to the flow direction.