What is Air Resistance Force? (Definition, Examples & More)

As per the name, you can guess the meaning of this force.

Air resistance force is a force which is exerted by air.

That’s it.

In physics, the definition of air resistance force can be stated as:

“A force that acts in the opposite direction on an object when it travels through the air is known as an Air resistance Force“

Not understood properly?

No worries. Let’s consider some Real Life examples to understand the above statement.

(So you’ll get an exact idea)

Air Resistance Force Examples in our Daily Life

Here’s a list of Daily Life examples of air resistance force:

• Petals thrown on ground

• Piece of paper dropped on ground

• Airplane flying through the air

• Hand taken out from a moving car

• Leaf falling from a tree

• Walking in heavy blowing wind

• Riding a bicycle into headwind

• Sitting on a beach

• Parachuter falling downwards

• And more…

Let’s understand each one of these examples with pictures.

#1 Petals thrown on ground

Here, a girl is throwing some petals on the ground. 

When petals fall on the ground, one upward force (exerted by air) acts on petals.

This force is known as the Air resistance Force.

#2 Piece of paper dropped on ground

Here, a man is dropping a piece of paper on the ground.

When a piece of paper falls on the ground, one upward force (exerted by air) acts on a piece of paper.

This force is known as the Air resistance Force.

#3 Airplane flying through the air

Here, an airplane is flying through the air. 

When an airplane flies through the air, one opposite force (exerted by air) acts on an airplane.

This force is known as the Air resistance Force.

#4 Hand taken out from a moving car

Here, a man is taking out his hand from a moving car.

When he takes out his hand, one opposite force (exerted by air) acts on the hand.

This force is known as the Air resistance Force.

#5 Leaf falling from a tree

Here, a leaf is falling downwards. 

When a leaf falls downwards, one upward force (exerted by air) acts on a leaf.

This force is known as the Air resistance Force.

#6 Walking in heavy blowing wind

Here, a boy is walking in the heavy blowing wind. 

When a boy walks forward, one opposite force (exerted by air) acts on a boy.

This force is known as the Air resistance Force.

#7 Riding a bicycle into headwind

Here, a girl is riding a bicycle into a headwind.

When a girl moves forward, one opposite force (exerted by air) acts on a girl.

This force is known as the Air resistance Force.

#8 Sitting on a beach

Here, a man is sitting on a beach.

When the wind blows on a beach, one opposite force (exerted by air) acts on a man.

This force is known as the Air resistance Force.

#9 Parachuter falling downwards

Here, a parachuter is falling downwards. 

When a parachuter falls downwards, one upward force (exerted by air) acts on a parachuter.

This force is known as the Air resistance Force.

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There are so many other examples of air-resistance force that we are experiencing in our daily life.

Summary

From the above examples, one thing is understood.

If a force is exerted by air, then a force is said to be an air resistance force.

That’s how you can easily remember the definition of air resistance force:

“A force that acts in the opposite direction on an object when it travels through the air is known as an Air resistance Force“

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What do you think, is it easy for you to understand this concept of air resistance force?

(Let me know in the comments below)

Related:

• What is Force?

• Different Types of Forces

• Contact Force

• Non contact Force

• Balanced Force

• Unbalanced Force