Solving for Air Resistance: Free Fall Homework Help

In summary, to solve for the amount of air resistance acting on a 100-N bag of nails at terminal speed, you need to find the resultant force acting on the object and equate it to zero. This can be done by understanding the concept of terminal velocity and summing up the forces acting on the object, which include air resistance and gravity. You can use the equation Fr = Fg - Ff to calculate the resultant force.
  • #1
MCSPT117
4
0
Homework Statement [/b]
Problem: How much Air Resistance acts on a 100-N bag of nails that falls at its teminal speed?


What process do you use to solve this?
 
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  • #2
At terminal velocity the resultant force on it is zero, so find the expression for the resultant force and equate to zero.
 
  • #3
What have you tried so far? Do you understand the properties behind terminal speed?
 
  • #4
Nothing.
I'm asking if I need to use F=ma to solve this. And if I do, where are each of the numbers plugged in?
 
  • #5
rock.freak667 said:
At terminal velocity the resultant force on it is zero, so find the expression for the resultant force and equate to zero.

This should be more than enough for you to solve the problem.

Make some attempts and if you're still stuck we'll go from there.
 
  • #6
?
Still don't know what to do? How do you find the expression for the resultant force?
 
  • #7
To obtain an expression for the resultant force you have to understand what the resultant force is! ;)

The resultant force is what you get when you sum up all the forces acting on a given object.

What forces are acting on the object?
 
  • #8
Air resistance, and gravity are the forces acting on the object, right?
 
  • #9
Fg (Force of Gravity) - Ff (Force of Friction) = Fr (Resultant Force)
 

Related to Solving for Air Resistance: Free Fall Homework Help

1. What is air resistance?

Air resistance is a force that acts against the motion of an object through the air. It is caused by the friction between the object and the air molecules it encounters.

2. How does air resistance affect free fall?

Air resistance can slow down the speed of an object in free fall and can also cause the object to deviate from its straight path. This is because the force of air resistance is proportional to the square of the object's velocity.

3. How do you calculate air resistance?

Air resistance is calculated using the equation F = 0.5 * p * v^2 * A * C, where F is the force of air resistance, p is the density of air, v is the velocity of the object, A is the cross-sectional area of the object, and C is the drag coefficient.

4. How can air resistance be reduced?

Air resistance can be reduced by decreasing the object's velocity, increasing its surface area, or using a more streamlined shape. Additionally, objects with a larger mass experience less air resistance than lighter objects.

5. Why is it important to consider air resistance in free fall calculations?

Ignoring air resistance in free fall calculations can lead to inaccurate results. This is because air resistance can significantly impact the motion of an object and can cause it to fall slower than expected. Considering air resistance allows for more precise and realistic calculations.

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