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Ashley Leong
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How does air resistance change the maximum height of a projectile ?
How does drag force change the maximum height of projectile?
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In summary, air resistance changes the maximum height of a projectile depending on the direction of the friction force.
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BvU
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Hi Ashley, 
Simple rule of thumb: friction often works in your disadvantage, unless you want to stop something
More sensible approach: determine the direction of the friction force and see if it makes things worse or not...
Other approach: exaggerate the effect you're interested in. Can you throw higher under water than in the air ?
Simple rule of thumb: friction often works in your disadvantage, unless you want to stop something
More sensible approach: determine the direction of the friction force and see if it makes things worse or not...
Other approach: exaggerate the effect you're interested in. Can you throw higher under water than in the air ?
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Ashley Leong
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Ohh ok thanks !
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BvU
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Ashley Leong said:
Ashley Leong said:
I'm seeing something here that I want to comment on, especially since you are still new to this forum.
You need to keep in mind that just because something is categorized as "physics", it doesn't necessarily mean that it is divorced from your everyday experience. You already know about many of the things that we formalize in basic physics.
For example, push something so that it slides on a very smooth surface. Now do that again, but this time, on a rougher surface. In which case do you think it will go further?
This, believe it or not, answers your question. Yet, it is something you should either be familiar with, or at least have an inkling on what should happen, because you have lived this long and have had a wealth of everyday experiences already. It might even be something that you can easily test by performing it yourself! The physics that you learn is describing these everyday observations!
So whenever you have a question on something similar, when you make a post here, do not just simply leave it at that. Post also what you know, what you had tried yourself to reason out. Otherwise, based simply on what you've typed here, there is no way to know if you actually understood what you should know, or if you have made the connection with your everyday experiences.
What we are trying to do here is to teach you how to fish, rather than simply give you the fish each time you are hungry and want something to eat.
Zz.
1. How does drag force affect the maximum height of a projectile?
The drag force acting on a projectile is a resistive force that opposes its motion. As a result, it reduces the velocity of the projectile as it travels through the air. This decrease in velocity ultimately leads to a decrease in the maximum height that the projectile can reach.
2. What factors influence the drag force on a projectile?
The drag force on a projectile is influenced by several factors, including the shape and size of the projectile, the density of the air, the speed of the projectile, and the roughness of the projectile's surface.
3. How does the angle of launch affect the drag force and maximum height of a projectile?
The angle of launch can significantly affect the drag force and maximum height of a projectile. A projectile launched at a higher angle will experience a greater drag force and therefore reach a lower maximum height, while a projectile launched at a lower angle will experience less drag force and reach a higher maximum height.
4. Can drag force ever increase the maximum height of a projectile?
No, drag force will always decrease the maximum height that a projectile can reach. The only way for a projectile to reach a higher maximum height is by increasing its initial velocity or reducing the effects of drag force through aerodynamic design.
5. How does air resistance differ from drag force in affecting the maximum height of a projectile?
Air resistance and drag force are often used interchangeably, and both refer to the force that opposes the motion of a projectile through the air. However, air resistance is a more general term that also includes other types of resistive forces, such as skin friction and form drag. Drag force specifically refers to the resistive force caused by the air colliding with the surface of the projectile.
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