1. Biomechanical Principles - Fluid Mechanics
Biomechanics
Biomechanical Principles - Fluid Mechanics

2. Learning Objectives Learning Objective:
Understand the impact of air resistance and drag on a body
- mass, velocity, frontal cross-sectional area, streamlining and shape, surface characteristics.
Learning Outcomes:
All: Describe factors that affect air resistance and drag
Most: Apply your knowledge to a variety of sporting examples
Some: Explain how athletes can use their knowledge to maximise performance

3. Key terms
Air Resistance – the force that opposes the direction of motion of a body through air
Drag –the force that opposes the direction of motion of a body through water
Velocity
Mass
Frontal cross-sectional area
Streamlining and shape
Surface characteristics

4. Factors that affect magnitude of air resistance and drag
Velocity
- greater V = greater AR / D
2) Frontal Cross-sectional area
- larger F C-s = greater AR / D
3) Streamlining
- more streamlined/aerodynamic = lower AR / D
4) Surface characteristics
- smoother surface = lower AR / D