DISCUSSION

In this experiment, the variable observed is the drag coefficient, C D along various air velocity. A
prism shape is used facing the wind with the body base surface facing upstream and downstream.
With the area of the prism at 1.209 x 10 -3 m2, the velocity was increased at 2m/s increment. It can
be observed that the value of drag coefficient force when the body surface is facing upstream
shows low increment as the velocity of air increases with the highest value at 2.957 N at a
velocity of 20m/s. On the other hand, the drag coefficient force for when the body surface is
facing downstream shows an unstable value with the increasing of velocity of air with the
highest value is at 1.834 N at a velocity of 18m/s. The value of drag coefficient force for when
the surface area facing upstream are much higher than when the body is facing downstream.

It is also calculated that the Reynolds Number, Re are increasing as the velocity of air increases
with the highest value at 4.079 x 104. This results maybe cause by the difference of surface area
where the air pass through. The surface facing downstream had a much larger surface area
covering the direction of the wind causing a much larger air resistance which then result in larger
value of drag force. The Reynolds Number calculated are below 5 x 10 4 which can be categorize
as laminar flow. The graph of net drag force against velocity shows a gradual increment as the
value of net drag force for upstream become higher than downstream. For the graph drag
coefficient force against Reynolds Number, the value of drag coefficient force was seen
increasing linearly up to Reynolds Number of 1.632 x 104 and shows a very slight increment
with almost vertical graph.
CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the measurement of the drag coefficient with different velocity was achieved and
recorded. Based on the data gathered, the body surface area facing the upstream have the highest
value in drag coefficient force compared to the downstream. The conclusion from this
experiment can justify the application of aerodynamic shape in various engineering problem. For
example, the shape of front foil of the formula one car that increases downforce and the design of
wind turbine blade for more efficient air flow.

The error that might occur that may change the value of data gathered are instrumental error and
calculation error. This error can be avoided by taking the data or reading of the experiment
multiple time to create and average result.