Particle's maximum height in liquid

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around determining the maximum height of a particle shot upwards in a liquid, considering forces such as gravity and drag, which is proportional to the particle's speed. The participants explore the dynamics of the particle's motion and the equations governing its behavior.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss various equations of motion and forces acting on the particle, questioning the relevance of initial forces after the particle is shot. Some suggest using energy conservation principles, while others note the complexity of the differential equations involved.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants sharing different perspectives on the problem. Some have offered insights into using energy methods and differential equations, while others are questioning assumptions about the forces at play. There is no explicit consensus yet.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the complexity introduced by the drag force and the challenge of eliminating variables from the equations. There is also mention of a simplified scenario in a vacuum, which contrasts with the current problem setup.

fullerene
Messages
5
Reaction score
0
I'm not sure if this is the appropriate subforum, but here it goes:

Suppose you have a particle, with the mass m, at the bottom of jar which is filled with liquid. The particle is shot upwards, parallel to the gravitational force, with the speed v0. The drag force is proportional to the particle's speed. What is the maximum height ymax of the particle?

First, "down"force equals to:
Ft=W+Fd
m*a=m*g+b*v
=> a(v)=g+(b/m)v

v(t)=v0+a*t, at ymax: v(t)=0
=> 0=v0+a*t
...

With cross subtituting, I cannot eliminate the variables v or t from the ymax function. Somehow I think the ymax function should not depend on the v or t variables, but maybe I'm wrong. Can you guys help me?

Thanks!
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
i think it should be:
Ft-W-Fd=ma
where Ft is force that needed to shoot the particle.
 
Hmm... I think that the force to shoot the projectile is irrelevant because the projectile has experienced the accelerating process and the force that "shoot" the projectile is no longer acting on it. I dunno, maybe I'm wrong.

Btw, when we consider that this experiment is done in vacumm, the ymax function is obtainable rather easily, just use y(t)=v0*t+(1/2)*g*(t^2). The value of t can be obtainable using v(t)=v0+g*t, which v(t) is zero (at ymax). Then ymax is just a function of v0 -> ymax(v0)=a*v0+b.
 
i think you can use here energies:
[tex]K_{h}-K_{v_0}=mgh+bv^2/2[/tex]
and the fact that: h=(v^2-v0^2)/2g (also known as galileo equation).
but I am not sure about the rhs of the first equation.
 
Since a= dv/dt and depends on v, you can't solve that algebrically. You have a differential equation:
[tex]\frac{dv}{dt}= -g- \frac{bv}{m}[/itex]<br /> That's relatively simple "non-homogeneous linear differential equation with constant coefficients".[/tex]
 
Ok, thanks HallsofIvy and loop_quantum_gravity.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K
  • · Replies 38 ·
2
Replies
38
Views
4K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
5K
  • · Replies 26 ·
Replies
26
Views
4K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
4K
Replies
1
Views
1K
Replies
6
Views
1K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
5K
Replies
13
Views
2K