Windage

Windage is a force created on an object by friction when there is relative movement between air and the object.

Related Topics:
Force - Friction - Air

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

There are two possible causes of windage:

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

• the object is moving and being slowed by resistance from the air
• a wind is blowing producing a force on the object

The term can refer to :

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

• either, the effect of the force, for example the deflection of a missile or an aircraft by a cross wind
• or, the area and shape of the object that make it susceptible to friction, for example those parts of a boat that are exposed to the wind.

Aerodynamic streamlining can be used to reduce windage.

Related Topics:
Aerodynamic - Streamlining

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

There is a similar hydrodynamic effect to windage.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In firearms parlance, windage refers to the side-to-side adjustment of a rifle's sight, used to change the horizontal component of the aiming point. (The up-down adjustment for the vertical component is the elevation.) It can also refer to the difference in diameter between the bore and the shot especially in muskets and cannon.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~