Modelling Air Resistance using Differential Equation

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around modeling air resistance using differential equations as part of a project. The original poster is focused on identifying the assumptions necessary for their write-up, particularly in relation to air resistance and its characteristics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants have raised questions about the assumptions related to air resistance, including the consistency of air resistance and the absence of external factors like drafts. There is also inquiry into the main sources of errors when measuring air resistance with paper cups.

Discussion Status

Some participants are exploring different types of friction forces relevant to the problem, such as Stokes type and drag forces, and are suggesting that the original poster clarify the type of model they wish to set up. Guidance has been offered regarding the importance of Reynolds Number in understanding the turbulence regime and drag characteristics.

Contextual Notes

The original poster has indicated that they have sorted out the rest of their coursework, suggesting that the focus is primarily on the assumptions related to air resistance for this specific aspect of their project.

$id
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hi ,

As a part of my project, i am modelling air resistance using a differential equation. For the write up, i need to discuss what assumptions i am making. I have the rest of the coursework sorted out.

I have a few idea .

Air resistance is presumed to be consistent. ( i.e no pressure changes)
There are no drafts or breezes in the experimental setup.

Any others?

sid
 
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well i have posted some of ideas already but i was wondering what would be the main sources of errors and assumptions of dropping some paper cups to measure air resistance constant.
 
You wish to set up a diff.equation.That's okay.There are 2 types of friction forces involved:Stokes type (viscous fluid,small velocities) and drag forces (big velocities)...

So choose the exact type of model (gravity,velocity range) and then set up the diff.eq.

Daniel.
 
$id said:
hi ,

As a part of my project, i am modelling air resistance using a differential equation. For the write up, i need to discuss what assumptions i am making. I have the rest of the coursework sorted out.
"Air Resistance" (or "Aerodynamic Drag") has been studied extensively. There are several different physical phenomena involved, and the dominant factors are generally indicated by the Reynold's Number value(s) for the experiment. Reynold's Number usually provides indication of the turbulence regime and drag characteristics, and thus the general approaches you can take in studying your problem. Parameters like Drag Coefficient are usually involved in formulating the basic equations. The URLs below discuss these concepts and should help formulate your approach. (Most involve a series of tutorial pages.)
http://www.lerc.nasa.gov/WWW/K-12/airplane/falling.html
http://www.eng.auburn.edu/department/me/courses/nmadsen/egr182a/drag01.html
http://galileo.phys.virginia.edu/classes/311/notes/fluids2/node8.html
http://astron.berkeley.edu/~jrg/ay202/node21.html



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