Wave Drag


Wave drag is a type of drag that occurs when a solid object moves through a fluid medium, such as air or water, at a speed that is close to or exceeds the speed of waves in that medium. When this happens, the object creates a series of pressure waves that propagate through the fluid, causing a disturbance that can increase the drag on the object. Wave drag is particularly important in aerospace engineering, where it can have a significant impact on the performance of aircraft and spacecraft. In order to minimize wave drag, engineers often use specialized designs, such as swept wings or supersonic airfoils, that are optimized for high-speed flight.


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