What are the components that make up total drag?

Total drag on an aircraft consists of various types of drag, and the correct choice identifies parasite drag and friction drag as key components of total drag. Parasite drag is generated by the aircraft's shape and surface area, which resist the flow of air during flight. This type of drag can be further classified into form drag and skin friction drag. Form drag arises from the shape of the aircraft, while skin friction drag is due to the surface roughness and the viscous interaction of air along the aircraft's surfaces.

Friction drag occurs as air flows over the aircraft's surface, creating a force that opposes the motion. Understanding these components is crucial because they collectively impact the aircraft's performance and fuel efficiency.

The other choices refer to different concepts. Lift and thrust drag do not accurately describe total drag as they mix different aerodynamic forces. Induced drag is a specific type of drag related to lift generation, and wave drag pertains to drag caused by shock waves at transonic and supersonic speeds. Vertical and lateral drag are not standard terms related to drag types in the context of total aircraft drag. Therefore, identifying parasite and friction drag provides a comprehensive view of the components that constitute total drag.