Air friction on a A4 paper ( Classical Mechanics )

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around estimating the drag or air friction acting on an A4 paper dropped perpendicular to the ground, specifically when multiple sheets are involved and no instruments are permitted for measurement.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the possibility of making estimates based on known constants like air friction and gravity. There is a consideration of the paper's motion, including potential terminal velocity and the effects of its rocking motion during descent.

Discussion Status

Some participants suggest that without instruments, only crude estimates can be made. There is a recognition of the challenge posed by the lack of measurement tools, and the idea of terminal velocity is introduced as a key concept in understanding the forces at play.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the constraint of not using any instruments, which significantly impacts the approach to the problem. The discussion includes questioning the assumptions about the paper's motion and the forces acting on it.

bob195
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Homework Statement



How could u find the drag/friction due to air on a A4 size page dropped perpendicular to the ground. There are about 20 sheets and is dropped about waist height. The tricky thing is no instruments are aloud. Only your senses...

Homework Equations



F=-cv where c is the constant due to air friction. v is the vel and F the force of air

The Attempt at a Solution



have no clue because i would think u would at least need a stop watch.
 
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If you are given no instruments you will need to make estimates.
 
what estimates? u will have c for the friction and g for the gravity.u could considers some sort of acceleration from looking at the system.could it be done? i would think it would be of the function speed and maybe have to differentiate a few times but would not know where to start...
 
Because of the lack of instrument the best that can be done is a crude estimate.The falling paper tends to rock to and fro but there doesn't seem to be a net vertical acceleration.I think you are expected to assume it reaches terminal velocity this being when the weight of the paper is balanced by air resistance.
 
thanks Dadface!
 

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