What Shape is Most Aerodynamic?

Overview

From cars and airplanes to sports equipment, the shape of an object can determine how efficiently it moves through the air, making aerodynamics a critical factor in modern design. The purpose of this project was to investigate how different three dimensional shapes affect air resistance and to determine which shape is the most aerodynamic using a controlled airflow environment. The hypothesis stated that if a shape is more streamlined, then it will experience less air resistance, measured by a backward swing angle closer to 90 degrees. To test this, a homemade wind tunnel was constructed, and five shapes, sphere, cube, cone, pyramid, and teardrop, were suspended in identical airflow created by an electric fan. Each shape was tested three times under the same conditions, and the maximum backward swing angle was measured using video recordings and a protractor. The teardrop shape had the highest average angle at 77.33 degrees, followed by the cone at 66.67 degrees, pyramid at 66.33 degrees, sphere at 63 degrees, and cube at 62.33 degrees, showing that the teardrop was the most aerodynamic. Observations supported the data, as the teardrop remained stable with minimal movement while the cube showed the greatest displacement and instability. Overall, the experiment was successful and supported the hypothesis, though future improvements could include stronger airflow or digital measuring tools to increase precision.

Competition history

• CSEF 2026 Applied Mechanics (Junior Division) · Entry J-02-27

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