Influence of the spheroid prolongation on the drag force

The drag force acting on a spheroid moving perpendicularly to its axis of rotation in water was studied experimentally. Along the spheroid axis, which is normal to its axis of rotation, a round narrow hole was bored. The spheroid moved along a thin vertical thread stretched in water. A video system recorded the spheroid motion and the spheroid velocity was determined from the record. The drag force coefficient was calculated from the balance of forces acting on the spheroid. Two oblate, two prolate spheroids and one sphere with ratio of the axes 0.67; 0.81; 1.33; 2 and I (sphere), respectively, with approximately the same volumes, were used. The friction coefficient between the thread and spheroid was determined from the comparison of the experimental and calculated motions of the sphere, for which the drag force coefficient is known. The dependence of the drag force coefficient of the spheroid on the ratio of its semi-axes was obtained