POV-Ray : Newsgroups : povray.advanced-users : Air resistance : Re: Air resistance Server Time
30 Jul 2024 02:26:16 EDT (-0400)
  Re: Air resistance  
From: Greg M  Johnson
Date: 19 Feb 2001 11:36:10
Message: <3A914A12.A86A3743@my-dejanews.com>
I believe the more precise concept is "specific surface area," defined in units
like m^2/g.

CASE ONE: dumbells with one sphere made of W (19 g/cc), the other of Al (3?
g/cc).
Of course the wind is going to push the less dense sphere more than the other.
Either description (uneven density or uneven specific surface area) are equally
good at predicting this effect.

CASE TWO: dumbells made of tungsten, one end is a sphere, the other end is a
mace with long spikes; each end's mass is equal.
Of course the wind is going to push the higher surface area end more than the
other.
Here, the superiority of the term "specific surface area" over "density" wins
out.


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