A variable-mass system is a physical system where the mass of the object changes during the course of its motion. This can occur due to the addition or removal of mass, or due to a change in the density of the object.
A falling drip is an example of a variable-mass system because as it falls, it continuously loses mass through evaporation. This change in mass affects the acceleration and velocity of the drip as it falls.
The forces acting on a falling drip in a variable-mass system include gravity, air resistance, and surface tension. Gravity pulls the drip downward, air resistance slows it down, and surface tension helps to maintain its shape as it falls.
The rate of evaporation plays a significant role in the motion of a falling drip in a variable-mass system. As the drip loses mass, its acceleration and velocity decrease. This is because there is less mass for the forces of gravity and air resistance to act on.
No, a falling drip cannot have constant velocity in a variable-mass system. This is because as the drip falls, it continuously loses mass through evaporation, causing its acceleration and velocity to change over time. It will eventually reach a terminal velocity where the force of air resistance is equal to the force of gravity, but this velocity is not constant.