Which components make up parasitic drag?

Parasitic drag is a crucial concept in aerodynamics that refers to the resistance an aircraft experiences as it moves through the air, not related to the production of lift. This type of drag is composed of three components: form drag, skin friction drag, and interference drag.

Form drag arises from the shape of the aircraft and is influenced by the size, shape, and airflow around the object. The more streamlined an object is, the less form drag it will experience. Skin friction drag is caused by the friction between the air and the surface of the aircraft. It's affected by the roughness of the surface and the air viscosity. Lastly, interference drag occurs when the airflow around different components of the aircraft interacts, creating additional drag that wouldn’t be present if each part was isolated.

The combination of these three types of drag enhances our understanding of how aircraft performance can be affected by design and surface characteristics. The other options presented do not accurately summarize the components that constitute parasitic drag, focusing on incorrect or incomplete elements of aerodynamic principles.