Snowflake aerodynamic drag
Snowflake aerodynamic drag is the resistive force experienced by a falling snowflake as it moves through air.
How big is it?
1 × 10⁻⁶ N · aerodynamic drag
Aerodynamic drag · representative
Typical recorded range: 1 × 10⁻⁸ N to 0.0001 N.
A little perspective
Snowflake aerodynamic drag vs Gravitational attraction between two people one metre apart: weight comparison
The aerodynamic drag on a snowflake is about 3.33 times the gravitational attraction between two people one metre apart.
FORCE
Snowflake aerodynamic drag is the resistive force experienced by a falling snowflake as it moves through air.
This is the gravitational force that two people exert on each other when separated by one metre.
Measurements, assumptions & sources +
Snowflake aerodynamic drag
Aerodynamic drag: 1 × 10⁻⁶ N; representative; range 1 × 10⁻⁸ N–0.0001 N.
A one-micronewton drag model for a falling snowflake. Crystal habit, size, tumbling, air density and speed produce the deliberately broad range.
Defined examples — our methodology
The marked aerodynamic drag is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
Gravitational attraction between two people one metre apart
Force: 3 × 10⁻⁷ N; approximate; range 1 × 10⁻⁷ N–1 × 10⁻⁶ N.
A curated gravitational attraction between two people one metre apart comparison anchor. The representative value and any stated range preserve the backlog measurement convention; operating or experimental conditions can change real observations.
Defined examples — our methodology
The marked force is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
Use the visual comparison to explore its scale, then check the measurements and sources.
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Why this measurement?
Why we use 1 × 10⁻⁶ N
We compare the aerodynamic drag on a snowflake. This is a representative comparison value; individual specimens or conditions can vary. The recorded range is 1 × 10⁻⁸ N to 0.0001 N.
A one-micronewton drag model for a falling snowflake. Crystal habit, size, tumbling, air density and speed produce the deliberately broad range.
The picture identifies the subject; the diagram compares the recorded values. How calibrated comparisons work →
Recorded properties
Dimensions and measurements
| Property | Selected value | Recorded range | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 × 10⁻⁶ N | 1 × 10⁻⁸ N to 0.0001 N | representative |
Around this scale
Explore nearby values.
Compare examples with lower, similar and higher values. Each card names the measurement being compared.
Nearest lower valueGravity and forceGravitational attraction between two people one metre apart3 × 10⁻⁷ NForceThis is the gravitational force that two people exert on each other when separated by one metre.Nearest higher valueFundamental physicsPhoton pressure thrust per kilowatt6.7 × 10⁻⁶ NForcePhoton pressure thrust per kilowatt is the force generated when one kilowatt of light is absorbed or reflected, due to photon momentum.Sources and method
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The source records and measurement method remain available for inspection.
There’s always another scale
Follow your curiosity.
GravityGravitational attraction between two people one metre apart3 × 10⁻⁷ NThis is the gravitational force that two people exert on each other when separated by one metre.Fundamental physicsPhoton pressure thrust per kilowatt6.7 × 10⁻⁶ NPhoton pressure thrust per kilowatt is the force generated when one kilowatt of light is absorbed or reflected, due to photon momentum.Fundamental physicsRadiation pressure on a laser mirror7 × 10⁻⁶ NRadiation pressure on a laser mirror is the force exerted by a laser beam as its photons strike and reflect from the mirror.GravityEarth-Moon L1 tidal acceleration over one kilometre8.03 × 10⁻⁸ NEarth-Moon L1 tidal acceleration over one kilometre is the difference in gravitational pull experienced across a one-kilometre distance near the Earth-Moon L1 point.Fundamental physicsRaindrop aerodynamic drag0.0003 NRaindrop aerodynamic drag is the force exerted by air resistance on a falling raindrop as it moves through the atmosphere.Fundamental physicsSoap film pull on a wire0.006 NSoap film pull on a wire is the force created by the surface tension of a soap film stretched across a wire frame.GravityBinary-star planet tidal acceleration0.01 NBinary-star planet tidal acceleration is the difference in gravitational pull experienced across a planet due to the influence of two stars.GravityGravitational attraction between two one-kilogram masses one metre apart6.7 × 10⁻¹¹ NThis is the gravitational force acting between two one-kilogram objects placed one metre apart in a vacuum.