Understanding Drag on a Rotating Object

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Drag forces act against the rotation of a spinning object, as they never add energy to the system. The direction of drag is determined by the relative airflow, meaning it can vary based on specific circumstances. To understand drag's impact, one must apply its definition to the situation at hand. Objects must overcome drag to remain stationary in moving air, or they will be set in motion by it. Examples include drag-based horizontal wind turbines and cup anemometers, which utilize drag to function effectively.
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For a spinning object does the drag act against the direction the object is rotating?
 
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A drag force will never add energy to a system, whether it be in translational motion or rotational motion. So, the drag force will act against the rotation of the object.
 
And the answer is some times not always. The best way to know is to learn the simple and accurate definition of drag and apply it to your particular circumstance. Drag is in the direction of the relative airflow that caused it. I am sure that you have heard that to move through the air you must over come drag. This represents a fraction of what drag is about. You see to remain still in moving air you must also overcome drag and if it is not overcome by that object it will move as a result of drag. There are drag based horizontal wind turbans that spin as a result of drag. The most often seen is the cup anemometer used to measure wind speed.
 

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