What factors contribute to parasitic drag?

Parasitic drag is a type of drag that is not associated with the generation of lift. It arises from the movement of the aircraft through the air and is composed of three main components: friction drag, form drag, and interference drag.

Friction drag occurs due to the viscous effects of the air as it moves across the surface of the aircraft. This drag increases as the surface area of the aircraft in contact with the airflow increases or as the speed of the aircraft increases, resulting in more air molecules interacting with the surface.

Form drag is related to the shape of the aircraft. It arises because of the aerodynamic forces that need to be overcome when the shape of an object creates a disturbance in the airflow. Streamlined shapes reduce form drag, whereas blunt shapes increase it.

Interference drag occurs when the airflow around various parts of the aircraft interacts with each other. For example, the junctions between the wings and fuselage or among different components can create additional drag due to these interactions.

In summary, the correct response identifies the specific components that contribute to parasitic drag, thereby representing a fundamental aspect of aerodynamics that is crucial for understanding aircraft performance.