Calculating A & ρ for a Sphere in Air Resistance

AI Thread Summary
To calculate the drag force on a sphere in air, the drag equation FD = 1/2ρ x v^2 x CD x A is used, where FD is the drag force, ρ is the fluid's mass density, v is the object's velocity, A is the reference area, and CD is the drag coefficient. The reference area A for a sphere with a diameter of 1.65 cm is the area of a circle, which can be calculated using the formula A = π(d/2)^2. For air at SATP conditions (1 atm, 25 degrees Celsius), the mass density can be found in standard tables, typically around 1.184 kg/m^3. The discussion clarifies that density is mass per unit volume and does not require knowing the amount of air the sphere travels through. Understanding these parameters is crucial for accurately calculating air resistance on the sphere.
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In the drag equation FD =1/2ρ x v^2 x CD x A
FD is the force of drag, which is by definition the force component in the direction of the flow velocity,
ρ is the mass density of the fluid,
u is the velocity of the object
A is the reference area, and
CD is the drag coefficient

How would you find A of a sphere 1.65cm in diameter
And what would mass density be if we are measuring air resistance and not water drag? The air temperature and presure is at SATP (1 atm, 25 degrees celsius) if that helps?
 
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The area of the sphere is the projected frontal area exposed to the fluid, that is, the area of a circle with a 1.65 cm diameter. You can look up the mass density of air at that pressure and temperature in any table.
 
but it says per kg so would i need to determine the amount of air it travels through?
 
I don't know what you mean by 'per kg'. Density is mass per unit volume. Mass density is in kg/m^3. You don't need to know the mount of air it travels through.
 
Thanks. I got it.
 
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