Drag Force Ratio: Jet vs Transport at 1200 km/h, 15 km Altitude

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating the drag force ratio between a jet and a prop-driven transport at specific speeds and altitudes. The participants identify that the drag force equations rely on air density, which varies with altitude, and they attempt to derive the correct ratio. There is confusion regarding the provided air density values, as the densities given do not correspond to the altitudes specified in the problem. Participants suggest that the question may have inconsistencies or errors in the data provided. Ultimately, the conversation highlights the importance of accurate data in physics problems and the challenges posed by ambiguous information.
Arman777
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Homework Statement


Calculate the ratio of the drag force on a jet flying at ##1200 km/h## at an atttude of ##15 km## to the drag force on a prop-driven transport flying at half that speed and altitude.The density of air is ##0.38(\frac {kg} {m^3})## at ##10 km## and ##0.67(\frac {kg} {m^3})## at ##5 km##.Assume that the air-planes have the same effective cross-sectonal area and drag coefficient C

Homework Equations


##F_D=\frac 1 2CAρv^2##

The Attempt at a Solution


Here C and A are the same so ## F_D## jet will be ##F_1## and ##F_D## plane will be ##F_2##
##F_1=ρ_1(v_1)^2## and ##F_2=ρ_2(v_2)^2##

The question ask ratio so we don't care about units ( I guess )

##ρ_1## which at 15 km is I found approximately ##0.235 (\frac {kg} {m^3})## ( from Inverse ratio )
##ρ_2## which at 7.5 km is I found ##0.525 (\frac {kg} {m^3})##

So ##\frac {F_1} {F_2}=4 \frac {0.235} {0.525}=1.79##

answer is 3.3

I don't know where I went wrong

Thank you
 
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I don't see how you would get 3.3.

You have some rounding errors, apart from that I get the same result assuming the atmosphere has an exponential distribution in density. I guess you are supposed to make this assumption.
 
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mfb said:
I don't see how you would get 3.3.

You have some rounding errors, apart from that I get the same result assuming the atmosphere has an exponential distribution in density. I guess you are supposed to make this assumption.
Yeah...I don't know too.This is all writes in the question.

Thanks
 
You are given the densities at 10km and 5km, but asked about drag at 15km and 7.5km. Smells like a question that has been altered to different data, but not consistently.
 
haruspex said:
You are given the densities at 10km and 5km, but asked about drag at 15km and 7.5km. Smells like a question that has been altered to different data, but not consistently.

I know...So I think I just let it go :)
 
haruspex said:
You are given the densities at 10km and 5km, but asked about drag at 15km and 7.5km. Smells like a question that has been altered to different data, but not consistently.
It wouldn't fit to those values either, but of they might have altered even more values.
 
mfb said:
It wouldn't fit to those values either, but of they might have altered even more values.

What an interesting question...
 
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