How does the shape make it go faster?

Answer 1

I believe it's just a matter of simple physics. Try this, take a plastic trash bag and stretch it over a 5 gallon plastic bucket. Fasten it securely around the outside of the bucket so it is stretched taut over the opening of the bucket. Imagine this plastic as the air all around us. Take your open hand, palm first, and try to push it through the plastic stretched across the top of the bucket. Pay close attention to how much force it takes to push your open hand through the plastic. Repeat the situation again with the plastic but this time hold your fingers extended, together, stiffly and again push your hand through the plastic. I'm sure you will agree that it was easier to do with the more pointed, extended fingers than with the open hand. The same thing happens in the air. The more aero-dynamic the shape, the less force it takes to move the object, thus the object will travel faster with the same given amount of force. Good luck!