The study of how air moves around objects, and how to shape things to reduce air resistance or create lift for flying.
From Greek aero- (air) and dynamics (the study of forces and motion), formed in the early 1900s as aircraft were being invented and scientists needed a word for this new field of study.
Aerodynamics is why golf balls have dimples—smooth balls don't fly as well, but dimples create tiny turbulence that actually reduces drag. Engineers discovered this principle by accident, but now it's applied to everything from car design to bullets!
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