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 of force
Aerodynamic drag · representative
Typical recorded range: 1 × 10⁻⁸ N to 0.0001 N.
A little perspective
About 3.33 times the force of Gravitational attraction between two people one metre apart.
Gravitational attraction between two people one metre apart: This is the gravitational force that two people exert on each other when separated by one metre.
Measurements, assumptions & sources +
Snowflake aerodynamic drag
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
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.
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Why this measurement?
Why we use 1 × 10⁻⁶ N
For comparison, this page uses aerodynamic drag. This is labelled representative; the central value is useful for comparison, while real values or measurement solutions 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 identifying illustration and the numerical comparison remain separate. How calibrated comparisons work →
Recorded properties
Snowflake aerodynamic drag 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
Go smaller. Go bigger.
These links use compatible weight records, ordered around the selected value.
Nearest lower value · 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.Nearest higher value · 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.Sources and method
Want to check the number?
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.