Question

When a shuttlecock falls, which orientation creates the most air resistance?

A. The basket - upward position.
B. The initial dropped position.
C. A sideways spinning position.
D. The basket - downward position.

Answer 1

D. The basket (feathers) facing downward produces the most air resistance — the feathered skirt presents the largest frontal area and acts like a parachute, greatly increasing the drag (drag ~ ½ρ C_d A v²). Cork-first (basket up) gives much less frontal area and less drag; sideways spinning is intermediate.