Air resistance, the force that opposes the motion of an object through the air, is spelled with the phonetic transcription /ɛər rɪˈzɪstəns/. The first syllable sounds like "air," with the vowel sound /ɛər/ representing the diphthong "ay-er." The second syllable has the short "i" sound /ɪ/. The final syllable rhymes with "stance" and has the vowel sound /ə/, representing the schwa sound. Therefore, the correct spelling is "air resistance."
Air resistance, also known as drag, refers to the force that opposes the motion of an object as it moves through the air. It is a type of frictional force that acts on objects moving relative to the air. When an object moves through the air, the air molecules collide with its surface, resulting in a resistance or pushback.
Air resistance is influenced by various factors such as the object's size, shape, speed, and the air density, which is determined by temperature and altitude. Larger objects with wider surfaces experience greater air resistance, while streamlined or aerodynamic objects experience less. Similarly, faster-moving objects encounter more air resistance as more air molecules collide with their surface in a given amount of time.
The air resistance force acts in the opposite direction to the motion of the object. Therefore, it contributes to slowing the object down. As the speed of an object increases, the air resistance force also increases, until it reaches a point when the forces are balanced and the object moves at a constant speed known as terminal velocity.
The magnitude of air resistance force can be calculated using mathematical formulas based on principles such as the drag equation. Understanding and accounting for air resistance is crucial in various fields such as physics, engineering, sports, and transportation, as it affects the performance, design, and efficiency of objects moving through the air.
The word "air resistance" has a straightforward etymology.
The term "air" originates from the Old English word "ær", which is derived from the Proto-Germanic word "ēr". It is believed to have its roots in the Proto-Indo-European word "h₂éros", meaning "air" or "wind".
The term "resistance" comes from the Latin word "resistere", which is a combination of "re-" meaning "against" and "sistere" meaning "to stand". The Latin word gradually evolved into "resistance" in English, referring to the act of opposing, fighting against, or withstanding something.
Therefore, "air resistance" refers to the force that opposes the motion of an object through the air.