Simplifying Things

now that we have the basic equation for a force wind exerts on a surface it blows directly against, it's time to illustrate a simple principle. if the surface we're talking about is at an angle to the wind -- as shown above -- the equation F = 1/2(d*A*v^2) becomes
F = 1/2(d*A'*v^2). A' is perpendicular to the wind. this gives you the component of force F opposite to the wind. note that the wind passing through the area A' includes all the wind that will strike surface A. it can be called the "effective area."