Which object has a higher drag coefficient at 10 m/s: golf ball or basketball?

[XwakeriderX]

Homework Statement

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!

Homework Equations

Cd= (2Fd)/(ρv^2A)

The Attempt at a Solution

Since the basketball has a larger area that would make the denominator larger which makes the Cd smaller?

 

[PhanthomJay]

Cd= (2Fd)/(ρv^2A)

Since the basketball has a larger area that would make the denominator larger which makes the Cd smaller?

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.