SIFT Mechanical Comprehension Practice Test

Increasing the surface area of an object typically increases the drag force acting upon it when it moves through a fluid, such as air or water. This is primarily due to the way fluid dynamics work; as the surface area of the object increases, the amount of fluid that collides with the object also increases.

When an object moves through a fluid, it displaces the fluid around it, and a larger surface area results in a greater interaction with the fluid particles. This interaction leads to a higher resistance force, commonly known as drag. The drag force can be represented mathematically by the drag equation, where the drag force is proportional to the surface area of the object, the velocity of the object, and the fluid density.

As the drag force increases, it affects the behavior of the object in motion, requiring more energy to maintain speed or causing it to slow down more quickly when acceleration ceases. Therefore, the understanding of how surface area affects drag is crucial in various applications, ranging from aerodynamics in vehicles to the design of aquatic vessels and even the performance of athletes in sports.