Final answer:
Factors such as aircraft weight, rotor design, and air density contribute to high power requirements during hover.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question 'What contributes to high power requirements during hover' concerns the field of aeronautical engineering, specifically when discussing helicopters or drones. The requirements for high power during hover are generally influenced by a few key factors.
Firstly, in a hover, the aircraft must generate lift equal to its weight to remain airborne. This requires a significant amount of power to maintain, as the rotors must constantly work against gravity without the benefit of forward motion which would help generate lift in fixed-wing aircraft.
Additionally, the phenomenon known as induced drag is greater during hover. As the rotors spin, they create a downward flow of air, and the aircraft effectively has to 'push' against this downwash, requiring additional power.
The inherent instability of hover also adds to the power requirement. Constant adjustments by the rotors are needed to maintain position and stability, which consumes more power. Engine efficiency, weight of the aircraft, and environmental conditions (such as air density, temperature, and wind) also have a substantial influence on the power required.
Overall, the inherent inefficiencies in producing lift without the aid of forward motion, combined with the need for constant adjustments to counteract instability, contribute significantly to the high power requirements during hover in aerial vehicles.