Induced drag relation with speed

AI Thread Summary
Induced drag changes with velocity due to its relationship with lift, as it is influenced by airflow around the wingtip. The induced drag force is proportional to the square of the velocity (V²), while the induced drag coefficient (Cdi) is affected by the lift force, leading to a proportionality of 1/V⁴. The drag formula indicates that drag is influenced by factors such as density, reference area, and speed, but the drag coefficient itself remains constant with speed. Understanding these relationships clarifies why induced drag behaves differently than other forms of drag. The discussion highlights the complexities of aerodynamic drag mechanisms and their dependencies on various factors.
Owells
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Hi everyone. I was wondering if you guys could explain me why I saw people say that:
Induced drag changes for a factor of 1/V2
Induced drag coefficient for a factor of 1/V4

If I don't make any mistakes, Drag = 1/2 rho * S * V² * Cd.

Manipulating the formula I find, 1/Cd = 1/2 rho * S * V² * Drag so here we can see that Cd inversely proportional to V², not V⁴.
And I still find that Drag is proportional to V² so why it's different with Induced Drag and Cdi ?
 
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The drag coefficient doesn't change with speed. It includes everything that influences drag EXCEPT density, some predefined reference area, and speed.
 
Yes, maybe I misspoke, I know that drag is influenced by the design of the airfoil ect but let's pretend that we study an airfoil, I learnt that the drag formula was the same that the lift formula. So I don't understand why Induced drag change for a factor of 1/V² and why Cdi for a factor of 1/V⁴
 
Owells said:
... so why it's different with Induced Drag and Cdi ...
There are two different forms of drag mechanism.

The profile drag is due to airflow passing the wing, that also generates lift.

The induced drag is due to airflow around the wingtip, the end of the wing. That unwanted flow is normally from below the wing, to above the wing.
 
I understand better now.

The induced drag ##F_{di}## is ##\frac{1}{2} \rho C_{di}A_i v^2##. We already said ##C_{di}## includes everything that influences the drag force but ##\rho A_i## and speed. The lift force influences the induced drag force. No lift force, no induced drag force. Double the lift, you will [approximately] double the induced drag force. If this is what we observed then ##C_{di}## is proportional to the lift force ##\frac{1}{2}\rho C_L A_L v^2## or:
$$F_{di} = \frac{1}{2} \rho \left(C_{di*} \frac{1}{2}\rho C_L A_L v^2\right) A_i v^2$$
$$F_{di} = \frac{1}{4} \rho^2 C_{di*} C_L A_L A_iv^4$$
Where ##C_{di*}## is a coefficient including everything that is affecting the induced drag force excluding the lift coefficient, reference areas, density, and speed.
 
jack action said:
The drag coefficient doesn't change with speed.
In general it does, but there are problems where we neglect this.
 
Due to the constant never ending supply of "cool stuff" happening in Aerospace these days I'm creating this thread to consolidate posts every time something new comes along. Please feel free to add random information if its relevant. So to start things off here is the SpaceX Dragon launch coming up shortly, I'll be following up afterwards to see how it all goes. :smile: https://blogs.nasa.gov/spacex/
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