Air resistance on a rotating cylinder

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the effects of air resistance on a rotating cylinder, specifically addressing how friction and viscosity influence the airflow around the cylinder. It is established that the air's velocity decreases with distance from the surface of the cylinder, leading to an opposing drag torque that affects the cylinder's rotation. The conversation emphasizes the need for a formula to describe the drag torque caused by air resistance on the rotating object.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of fluid dynamics principles
  • Knowledge of torque and rotational motion
  • Familiarity with the concepts of friction and viscosity
  • Basic grasp of drag force calculations
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the Navier-Stokes equations for fluid dynamics
  • Study the derivation of drag torque formulas for rotating objects
  • Explore the effects of viscosity on airflow around cylindrical shapes
  • Learn about experimental methods to measure drag forces on rotating cylinders
USEFUL FOR

Mechanical engineers, physicists, and students studying fluid dynamics or rotational mechanics will benefit from this discussion, particularly those interested in the practical applications of air resistance on rotating bodies.

Hajk
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Hi, I have an object that's rotating in the air with constant speed. Now a bit simplified it could be looked as an uniform cylinder that's rotating round and round (not like a propeller). How would air resistance affect this rotation and how could you describe this force with a formula?

Thanks
 
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Friction and viscosity would cause the air to circulate in the vicinty of the cylinder, with the air's velocity decreasing with distance from the suface of the cylinder. The air's resitance to this would create an opposing drag torque on the cylinder.
 

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