What type of drag is created due to the shape of a component or the aircraft?

Form drag is indeed the type of drag that arises from the shape of a component or the overall design of the aircraft. This drag is primarily caused by the pressure difference between the front and rear surfaces of a body moving through a fluid, which in the context of aviation is the air.

When an aircraft or its components (like wings, fuselage, or control surfaces) move through the air, their shape influences how air flows around them. Streamlined shapes tend to reduce form drag because they allow air to flow smoothly, while blunt or irregular shapes can create turbulence and lead to increased drag. This phenomenon is a crucial aspect of aerodynamics, impacting overall performance and fuel efficiency.

Other types of drag, such as skin friction drag, are influenced more by the texture of the surface and the viscosity of the fluid, rather than just the shape itself. Likewise, induced drag is related to the generation of lift and is more about the consequences of lift production than the shape. Interference drag arises from the interaction of airflow between different components of the aircraft. Hence, form drag specifically highlights the role of the shape in creating resistance to forward motion.