--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Air has very little viscosity. That is…" description: "\"“Air has very little viscosity. That is, it’s not gooey. That means things flying through the air experience drag because of the momentum of the air th..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b8c/randall-munroe-4800_air-molecules_air-has-very-little-viscosity-that-is-it_2281498.png" --- # Air has very little viscosity. That is, it’s not gooey… ![“Air has very little viscosity. That is, it’s not gooey. That means things flying through the air experience drag because of the momentum of the air they’re shoving out of the way—not from cohesion between the air molecules. It’s more like pushing your hand through a bathtub full of water than a…” quote by Randall Munroe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b8c/randall-munroe-4800_air-molecules_air-has-very-little-viscosity-that-is-it_2281498.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b8c/randall-munroe-4800_air-molecules_air-has-very-little-viscosity-that-is-it_2281498.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b8c/randall-munroe-4800_air-molecules_air-has-very-little-viscosity-that-is-it_2281498.png) > ““Air has very little viscosity. That is, it’s not gooey. That means things flying through the air experience drag because of the momentum of the air they’re shoving out of the way—not from cohesion between the air molecules. It’s more like pushing your hand through a bathtub full of water than a bathtub full of honey.”” [Randall Munroe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randall-munroe/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Air's low viscosity means drag comes from moving air aside, not from sticky cohesion. **In simple terms:** Drag is caused by pushing air aside, not by it being sticky. Key Takeaway Understand drag as displaced air, not sticky fluid. Themes physics fluid dynamics air resistance science communication Mood educational clarifying Type explanatory technical When to use this quote - aeronautical design - vehicle efficiency - sports equipment - wind tunnel testing Key Concepts viscosity momentum transfer drag force Questions to Reflect On - How does low viscosity affect high-speed flight? - What other forces act on moving objects? 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