Submitted:
18 June 2022
Posted:
20 June 2022
Read the latest preprint version here
Abstract
The common dandelion uses a bundle of drag-enhancing bristles (the pappus) that enables seed dispersal over formidable distances; however, the scaling laws of pneumatic/aerodynamic drag underpinning pappus-mediated flight remains unresolved. In this paper, we will study the pneumatic/aerodynamic shape of dandelion and the scaling law of resistance, and find that the drag resistance coefficient is proportional to the -2/3 power of the dandelion pappus Reynolds number. As a by-product, the terminal velocity analytical expression of the dandelion seed is also obtained.
Keywords:
Dandelion
; pappus
; flexible filament
; wind-dispersal
; aerodynamic shape
; drag
; Reynolds number
; scaling laws
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