The force needed to overcome air resistance is based on which factor?

The force needed to overcome air resistance primarily depends on the speed of the object. As an object moves through the air, it encounters air molecules, creating resistance that becomes more significant at higher speeds. The relationship between speed and air resistance is not linear; it usually increases with the square of the object's speed. This means that if an object's speed doubles, the air resistance can increase by a factor of four, illustrating the strong dependence on velocity.

While other factors, such as the shape and surface area of the object, profoundly influence air resistance, the speed is the primary factor in determining how much force is needed to overcome that resistance. The mass, angle, and height of the object play secondary roles. For instance, increasing mass might affect the object's acceleration under the influence of air resistance, but it does not directly impact the force of the resistance itself.