Drag on a marble shot through water

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the drag force experienced by a marble moving through water, specifically focusing on the implications of the drag equation and the changing velocity of the marble as it slows down. The problem involves concepts from fluid dynamics and kinematics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants express confusion regarding how to apply the drag force equation, given that velocity is not constant and changes over time. There are mentions of using differential equations to address the changing velocity, but some participants question whether this is appropriate given the course's constraints.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants exploring different mathematical approaches to model the problem. Some guidance has been offered regarding the use of integration to find time and distance, but there remains uncertainty about how to effectively handle the variable nature of velocity in the equations.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the course only requires knowledge of calculus 1, which raises concerns about the appropriateness of using differential equations for this problem. There is also a specific focus on the parameters of the marble and the properties of water at a given temperature.

oneamp
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Homework Statement



An object moving in a liquid experiences a linear drag force: D⃗ =(bv, direction opposite the motion), where b is a constant called the drag coefficient. For a sphere of radius R, the drag constant can be computed as b=6πηR, where η is the viscosity of the liquid.

Homework Equations



Drag equation is given in the problem.

The Attempt at a Solution



I am working toward a solution but there is something that troubles me. Drag, D = bv, depends on velocity. But, velocity changes continually from the point the marble first begins to slow down, until it reaches zero. So how can I come up with net force for this to solve the kinnematic equations, when they are dependent on a constantly changing velocity?

Thanks
 
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oneamp said:

Homework Statement



An object moving in a liquid experiences a linear drag force: D⃗ =(bv, direction opposite the motion), where b is a constant called the drag coefficient. For a sphere of radius R, the drag constant can be computed as b=6πηR, where η is the viscosity of the liquid.
And the question being?

The Attempt at a Solution



I am working toward a solution but there is something that troubles me. Drag, D = bv, depends on velocity. But, velocity changes continually from the point the marble first begins to slow down, until it reaches zero. So how can I come up with net force for this to solve the kinnematic equations, when they are dependent on a constantly changing velocity?
Yes, the velocity and hence the force will change. You will need to make use of differential equations and solve them.
 
The question is:

Water at 20 ∘C has viscosity η=1.0×10−3Ns/m2. Suppose a 1.0-cm-diameter, 1.2g marble is shot horizontally into a tank of 20 ∘C water at 15cm/s . How far will it travel before stopping?

My confusion is with the general principle of using v in the equation. This class requires only calc 1 so I don't think a differential equation is what they're looking for.
 
D=bv
m(dv/dt)=bv
integrate (EDIT->) and you get time taken to stop and also if you let the limits be in terms of variables you will get a similar equation for v and t.
 
Last edited:
I will try that out, thank you.
 
How does that help? I integrate and still get either the derivative of velocity on the left, or velocity (integral of the derivative of velocity, is velocity). So I still have velocity in the equation...
 
Enigman said:
D=bv
m(dv/dt)=bv
integrate (EDIT->) and you get time taken to stop and also if you let the limits be in terms of variables you will get a similar equation for v and t.

$$m ln(v)=bt$$
$$ln(v)=bt/m$$
$$v=e^{bt/m}$$
$$\frac{dx}{dt}=e^{bt/m}$$
Integrate.
 

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