Radius of a Raindrop: Finding Mass & Volume

AI Thread Summary
To find the radius of a raindrop at terminal velocity using Stokes' law, the viscosity of air and density of water are provided, but the density of air is also needed for an accurate calculation. The ideal gas law can be used to approximate the density of air, which is about 1.225 kg/m³. The initial calculation yielded a radius of 9.31x10^-5 m, but this was incorrect due to the omission of air density. Buoyancy effects are considered negligible in this scenario, simplifying the net force to just the weight of the raindrop. Accurate results require including all relevant factors, particularly the density of air.
IDK10
Messages
67
Reaction score
3

Homework Statement


Using the viscosity of air as 1.8x10-5Pa s, and the density of water as 1x103kg m-3, find the radius of a raindrop traveling at a terminal velocity of 7.05ms-1. Assume Stokes law can be used.

The problem is finding the density of air, I could use F = 6rvπη but I don't know F, because it says in a previous question to assume that in D + U = W, to assume U is negligible, and I don't know the weight, because I don't know the mass or volume of the raindrop.

Homework Equations


r = sqrt((9ηv)/(2g(ρ-σ)))

The Attempt at a Solution


Without a density of air, I get 9.31x10-5m, but that would be wrong since the density of air is not being included.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Density of air is a small correction, so you can use the ideal gas law to find its approximate value.
 
IDK10 said:

The Attempt at a Solution


Without a density of air, I get 9.31x10-5m, but that would be wrong since the density of air is not being included.
Google "density of air" .(It is about 1.225 kg/m3)
And check your numerical result.
 
In your judgment, is buoyancy going to contribute significantly to the net force on the raindrop?
 
If by buoyancy you mean upthrust, then no, a previous part of the question says it is neglibible. So its just F = W.
 
  • Like
Likes Chestermiller
IDK10 said:

The Attempt at a Solution


Without a density of air, I get 9.31x10-5m, but that would be wrong since the density of air is not being included.
It is not correct, but not because of neglecting the density of air.
 
Kindly see the attached pdf. My attempt to solve it, is in it. I'm wondering if my solution is right. My idea is this: At any point of time, the ball may be assumed to be at an incline which is at an angle of θ(kindly see both the pics in the pdf file). The value of θ will continuously change and so will the value of friction. I'm not able to figure out, why my solution is wrong, if it is wrong .
TL;DR Summary: I came across this question from a Sri Lankan A-level textbook. Question - An ice cube with a length of 10 cm is immersed in water at 0 °C. An observer observes the ice cube from the water, and it seems to be 7.75 cm long. If the refractive index of water is 4/3, find the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. I could not understand how the apparent height of the ice cube in the water depends on the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. Does anyone have an...
Back
Top