Which of the following factors affects parasite drag?

Which of the following factors affects parasite drag?

• A. Wing shape
• B. Airspeed
• C. Surface area
• D. Wing loading

Answer: (C)

Parasite drag is a type of aerodynamic drag that occurs as an aircraft moves through the air. It is composed of two main components: form drag and skin friction drag. The surface area of an aircraft significantly influences parasite drag because the larger the surface area exposed to the airflow, the more air molecules are displaced, resulting in increased friction and turbulence. Essentially, as the surface area increases, the overall resistance the aircraft experiences while moving through the air also increases, leading to higher levels of parasite drag. Factors such as wing shape, airspeed, and wing loading do play roles in the overall drag and performance of an aircraft, but they do not specifically directly affect parasite drag as much as surface area does. Wing shape can influence lift and form drag but is not a direct determinant of parasite drag in isolation. Airspeed affects total drag but does not change the fixed characteristics of the aircraft's surface. Wing loading, which is the aircraft's weight divided by its wing area, primarily affects the aircraft's performance and stall characteristics, rather than parasite drag directly. Thus, the surface area of the aircraft is the most relevant factor affecting parasite drag, making it the correct choice.

Parasite drag is a type of aerodynamic drag that occurs as an aircraft moves through the air. It is composed of two main components: form drag and skin friction drag. The surface area of an aircraft significantly influences parasite drag because the larger the surface area exposed to the airflow, the more air molecules are displaced, resulting in increased friction and turbulence. Essentially, as the surface area increases, the overall resistance the aircraft experiences while moving through the air also increases, leading to higher levels of parasite drag.

Factors such as wing shape, airspeed, and wing loading do play roles in the overall drag and performance of an aircraft, but they do not specifically directly affect parasite drag as much as surface area does. Wing shape can influence lift and form drag but is not a direct determinant of parasite drag in isolation. Airspeed affects total drag but does not change the fixed characteristics of the aircraft's surface. Wing loading, which is the aircraft's weight divided by its wing area, primarily affects the aircraft's performance and stall characteristics, rather than parasite drag directly.

Thus, the surface area of the aircraft is the most relevant factor affecting parasite drag, making it the correct choice.