Air Resistance Problem: Dropping two balls with different masses

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on solving the air resistance problem involving two balls of different masses. Participants emphasize the importance of using free body diagrams to illustrate the forces acting on each ball during free fall. The conversation highlights that despite differing masses, both balls experience the same gravitational acceleration, but air resistance affects their motion differently. A structured approach to the problem involves identifying forces, drawing diagrams, and applying Newton's laws of motion.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Newton's laws of motion
  • Familiarity with free body diagrams
  • Basic knowledge of air resistance and its effects on falling objects
  • Concept of gravitational acceleration
NEXT STEPS
  • Study how to create and interpret free body diagrams
  • Learn about the equations of motion under the influence of air resistance
  • Explore the differences in motion between objects of varying masses in free fall
  • Investigate practical experiments to observe air resistance effects
USEFUL FOR

Students in physics, educators teaching mechanics, and anyone interested in understanding the dynamics of falling objects and the impact of air resistance.

Richard8786
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Homework Statement
A certain ping-pong ball has mass of 2.4 g and a terminal speed of 10.0 m/s as it falls through air. Suppose the same type of ping-pong ball is then filled with water such that it has a new mass of 21.6 g and it is dropped through the air. (a) Determine the acceleration of the water-filled ball as it falls at 10.0 m/s through the air. (b) Determine the terminal speed of the water-filled ball assuming that the air resistance is proportional to the square of the speed.
Relevant Equations
None
I am not sure how to even start this problem.
 
Last edited:
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You are supposed to show some "good faith" attempt at a solution. See guidelines.
 
Richard8786 said:
I am not sure how to even start this problem.
Usual place: free body diagrams showing the forces acting in the different cases.
 
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