How does parasitic drag change with increasing velocity?

Parasitic drag is a type of aerodynamic drag that is dependent on the velocity of the aircraft, among other factors. As the velocity of an aircraft increases, the impact of parasitic drag becomes more pronounced, leading to an exponential increase in drag force. This is because parasitic drag is primarily influenced by the square of the velocity; as the speed doubles, the drag increases by a factor of four.

This exponential relationship arises from the fact that the drag force is proportional to the air density, the drag coefficient, and the square of the velocity. As aircraft velocity increases, the flow of air around the aircraft becomes more turbulent, leading to increased resistance and higher parasitic drag. Understanding this concept is crucial for pilots and engineers as they analyze performance and efficiency at different speeds.