Drag coefficient

XwakeriderX

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
A golf ball and a basketball are both moving through the air at 10 m/s. Which has the higher drag coefficient?
a. The golf ball's drag coefficient is much higher.
b. The basketball's drag coefficient is much higher.
c. Both drag coefficients are about the same!


2. Relevant equations

Cd= (2Fd)/(ρv^2A)

3. The attempt at a solution
Since the basketball has a larger area that would make the denominator larger which makes the Cd smaller?

PhanthomJay

No. The drag factor is largely experimentally determined as generally a function of shape but not generally a function of size. Bullets, birds, and planes have low Cd factors. Flat surfaces have large Cd factors.