NB: Between the frontal resistance and the drag resistance, which of these two resistances is the most penalising?
The results of the following experiment provide an interesting answer. When 4 objects (a, b, c, d) of the same weight and the same surface area are dropped into the water (assuming they maintain their trajectory as they fall), their order of arrival on the ground will depend on the size of their frontal resistance and their drag resistance.
– The sphere ‘a’ arrives first: it has less frontal and drag resistance than the other three objects.
– The disc ‘d’ comes last: it has more drag and frontal resistance than the other three objects.
– Half-sphere ‘b’ comes before half-sphere ‘c’.

Conclusion: drag resistance is more penalising than frontal resistance.