Distance to reach terminal velocity

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on calculating the distance and time required for a 100 kg body to reach terminal velocity, emphasizing that these values approach infinity asymptotically. Participants explore using differential equations to derive expressions for time and distance, with suggestions to maintain variables as symbols rather than inserting numerical values prematurely. There is a debate regarding the constants used in calculations, particularly the drag coefficient, and the need for clarity in their derivation. The conversation highlights the importance of approximations and the use of calculus for practical solutions. Overall, the thread illustrates the complexities involved in modeling motion under drag forces.
abdo799
Messages
168
Reaction score
4

Homework Statement



A body with a 100 Kg of mass is falling , what's the distance and time to reach terminal velocity?

Homework Equations


a=dv/dt v=ds/dt drag force= 100v^2
F=ma

The Attempt at a Solution


I don't really need the numbers , just the expressions
I don't know how to write the equations so I am going to capture my attempt and post as photos. I don't know if I am right or wrong yet. The photos were mixed during the upload , the last photo is the first one and vice versa
 

Attachments

  • 1509781_1445429132339954_607140185_n.jpg
    1509781_1445429132339954_607140185_n.jpg
    36.5 KB · Views: 557
  • 1510810_1445428909006643_2084853045_n.jpg
    1510810_1445428909006643_2084853045_n.jpg
    33.4 KB · Views: 517
  • 1521924_1445429072339960_1742220930_n.jpg
    1521924_1445429072339960_1742220930_n.jpg
    36.1 KB · Views: 508
Physics news on Phys.org
Sorry, x = infinity, t = infinity.

The terminal velocity is a finite number but the distance and time to reach it are asymptotes which are never completely reached.
 
rude man said:
Sorry, x = infinity, t = infinity.

The terminal velocity is a finite number but the distance and time to reach it are asymptotes which are never completely reached.

yea i know , but we can get an approximation , i could use excel to do it , but i saw this thread ( https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=502933 ) he used differential equations to solve for time , so i thought maybe i could use it to solve for distance
 
Last edited:
abdo799 said:
yea i know , but we can get an approximation , i could use excel to do it , but i saw this thread ( https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=502933 ) he used differential equations to solve for time , so i thought maybe i could use it to solve for distance

You tell me what constitutes "reaching terminal velocity", like for example 99% of terminal velocity, and maybe I can show you how to get that.
 
rude man said:
You tell me what constitutes "reaching terminal velocity", like for example 99% of terminal velocity, and maybe I can show you how to get that.
Thanks , i did a spreadsheet and i got the answers , my question is : is this calculus approach wrong?
 
abdo799 said:
Thanks , i did a spreadsheet and i got the answers , my question is : is this calculus approach wrong?
For the time, yes, though my preference would be to keep all the variables as symbols (m for mass, D for drag coefficient etc.) rather then inserting numerical values som early.
You can solve the time integral using partial fractions.
For the distance, the easiest way is to use dv/dt = (dv/ds)(ds/dt) = v dv/ds. That gives you a very easy integral.
 
  • Like
Likes 1 person
haruspex said:
For the time, yes, though my preference would be to keep all the variables as symbols (m for mass, D for drag coefficient etc.) rather then inserting numerical values som early.
You can solve the time integral using partial fractions.
For the distance, the easiest way is to use dv/dt = (dv/ds)(ds/dt) = v dv/ds. That gives you a very easy integral.

So integration does work ? thanks for that ultra-easy integral :thumbs: , the one i figured out was a nightmare
 
rude man said:
You tell me what constitutes "reaching terminal velocity", like for example 99% of terminal velocity, and maybe I can show you how to get that.

if i had a 50 m/s terminal velocity for example , if i put v= 49 m/s , i can work it out with calculus right?
 
abdo799 said:
if i had a 50 m/s terminal velocity for example , if i put v= 49 m/s , i can work it out with calculus right?

Right!
 
  • Like
Likes 1 person
  • #10
Thanks
 
  • #11
One last question before we call it a day , when i use differential equation calculator in wolfram , he used log instead of ln in the integration , he gave me t in terms of v . when he was trying to put v the subject ( to put v in terms of t ) he used e . How come?
 
  • #12
abdo799 said:
One last question before we call it a day , when i use differential equation calculator in wolfram , he used log instead of ln in the integration , he gave me t in terms of v . when he was trying to put v the subject ( to put v in terms of t ) he used e . How come?

What was your diff. equation?
 
  • #13
rude man said:
What was your diff. equation?

Int(t)=int(dv/(228-0.113v^2))
 
  • #14
abdo799 said:
Int(t)=int(dv/(228-0.113v^2))

OK, you mean dt = dv/(228 - 0.113 v2).

That "228" bothers me. I have g for that constant = 9.81 ms-2.
Also, you need to know the drag coefficient = drag force/v2. I saw nothing in your problem that gave that coefficient a number. Where did you get the number 0.113 from, which has to be the drag coefficient divided by the mass of the diver?
 
  • #15
rude man said:
OK, you mean dt = dv/(228 - 0.113 v2).

That "228" bothers me. I have g for that constant = 9.81 ms-2.
Also, you need to know the drag coefficient = drag force/v2. I saw nothing in your problem that gave that coefficient a number. Where did you get the number 0.113 from, which has to be the drag coefficient divided by the mass of the diver?

This is not really about skydiving, i am pretty sure the other calculation are correct, the body is teardrop shape which according to google has a coefficient of drag of 0.05
 
  • #16
OK, but I still think you should show how you got those two numbers: 228 and 0.113.

If you're sure they're right (and I don't think they are), then go ahead and show what your solution was for v(t) or t(v) or both.
 
Back
Top