1
Q
What causes and exacerbates induced drag?
A
Induced drag is a necessary byproduct of producing lift. Since wing push air downwards to produce lift, and lift is perpendicular to the outgoing airflow, the lift vector is tilted back. However, wing tip vortices significantly exacerbate this effect by increasing downwash.
2
Q
What is induced drag proportional to? Intuitively, why?
A
1/v^2. As speed increases, there’s more air, so the angle of attack and amount of downwash decreases for a given weight. The angle of downwash causes induced drag, so indued drag decreases.
3
Q
What are the types of drag and their hiearchy?
A
Induced drag, Parasite drag
Parasite drag is an umbrella term for all non-induced drag, and includes form and skin friction drag.
