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-   -   In what direction does the force of air resistance act? (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=721926)

  • Dec 10, 2012, 07:57 PM
    shelbee
    In what direction does the force of air resistance act?
    I answered this question as:
    It acts opposite of the mothing of the object because it is pushing through the air particles.
    My teacher said it was incorrect and I would like a second opinion.
    If it is wrong will you please explain how? Because I do not know another answer to this question.
    Thank you.
  • Dec 11, 2012, 08:53 AM
    ebaines
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by shelbee
    it acts opposite of the mothing of the object because it is pushing through the air particles

    I don't know what you mean by "mothing," but I would say that air resistance acts in the direction opposite to the direction of movement of the object relative to the air. Two examples: (1) if there is no wind and you throw a ball through the air the direction of resistance is opposite to the direction of the ball's velocity vector, and (2) if you throw the same ball but there's a side wind then the direction of air resistance is the velocity vector for the wind minus the velocity vector of the ball.

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