Does decreasing surface area reduce drag?

Question

not a hmwk ? just wondering

Answer 1

Answer Yes. The more surface area you have the more friction that occurs. Friction equals drag. Naturally the conditions of the situation comes into the picture to. Hope this helps.

Answer 2

Drag is a function of three variables:

1. the frontal area (measured perpendicular to the direction of travel)

2. the speed

3. the coefficient of drag (the shape)

So like the above answer indicates, it depends on which surface you are reducing, assuming the other variables remain the same.

Answer 3

it depends on the direction of the surface...think of a frisbee..throw it normal..then throw it while its up and down see what happens