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

The force needed to overcome air resistance is primarily influenced by the speed of the object. As an object's speed increases, the air resistance acting against it also increases. This relationship arises from the fact that air resistance, or drag, is proportional to the square of the speed of the object. Therefore, even small increases in speed can result in significantly greater resistance forces that need to be countered.

In contrast, while mass can influence how an object behaves under the influence of various forces (like gravity), it does not directly determine the amount of air resistance experienced. Similarly, the angle and height of an object might affect its trajectory or the effects of gravity, but they do not play a direct role in increasing or decreasing air resistance. Hence, the correct answer reflects the key role of speed in determining the force needed to overcome air resistance.