Effect of friction on the foward momentum of an object

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the effect of friction, specifically air resistance, on the forward momentum of a thrown object, such as a ball. Participants explore the relationship between speed, friction, and the resulting trajectory of the object, including the shape of the curve it follows.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes that when a ball is thrown, it follows a parabolic trajectory, but its speed decreases due to air friction and inquires about the formula for this decrease and the shape of the revised curve.
  • Another participant suggests that friction is typically proportional to speed, presenting the formula F(friction) = -bv, and describes the revised curve as a parabolic shape with a 'squashed' end.
  • A third participant humorously corrects the initial typo of "mall" to "ball" and provides a link to a resource on air resistance, indicating that the original question may have been misunderstood.
  • The same participant poses a follow-up question about the Reynolds number, asking whether a ball thrown at 100 mph in regular air would have a high Reynolds number, expressing uncertainty about their physics knowledge.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants present various viewpoints on the effects of air resistance and the characteristics of the trajectory, but there is no consensus on the specific formula for the decrease in speed or the implications of the Reynolds number.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes assumptions about the nature of air resistance and the conditions under which the ball is thrown, but these assumptions are not fully explored or defined.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to individuals exploring concepts in physics related to motion, air resistance, and fluid dynamics, particularly those curious about the effects of friction on moving objects.

soandos
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for example, if a mall is thrown, it forms a parabola, but its speed also decreases due to the friction in air.
what is the formula for that decrease?
what is the shape of the revised curve?
thanks.
 
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As a rule of thumb, friction is usually proportional to speed, often quoted as: F(friction)= -bv,
The revised curve is a parabola with a 'squashed' end half.
 
NoobixCube said:
As a rule of thumb, friction is usually proportional to speed, often quoted as: F(friction)= -bv,
The revised curve is a parabola with a 'squashed' end half.


I'm guessing you don't mean "shopping mall". That would have a lot of wind resistance, and would not travel very far when you threw it.

A google search on air resistance gives many useful hits. Here's the first{

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drag_(physics )


.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
sorry "mall" was a typo, i meant ball.
another question on this topic:
assuming that a ball is thrown at a 100mph (in regular air) does that have a high Reynold's Number or not?
sorry, i do not take physics, so this might be a stupid question.
 

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