why is the teardrop the most aerodynamic shape? Would something with a more pointed nose not “slice” through the air more easily?

Question

why is the teardrop the most aerodynamic shape? Would something with a more pointed nose not “slice” through the air more easily?

In: 20

Answer 1

A raindrop has 3 forces acting on it: The force of gravity pulling it down, air resistance trying to slow it down (pushing it back up) which tries make it aerodynamic, and surface tension trying to make it into a sphere. So you get something vaguely spherical from the tension, but it’s elongated from air resistance with a fat bottom due to gravity.

And as other’s have said, it’s not the most aerodynamic shape. There’s other forces acting on it. the raindrop shape is just the most stable shape that balances those 3 forces.