Solving Acceleration Problem with Cardboard Balls

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In summary, the conversation discusses a problem with understanding the concept of air resistance in relation to mass and acceleration. The question asks which object, a cardboard ball or a sheet of cardboard, would experience a greater air resistance force and acceleration while falling. The suggestion is made to consider the relationship between object size and air resistance, and to create an experiment to better understand the problem.
  • #1
deficiency4math
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hi,
I have a problem that, conceptually, i do not get. I've looked through my physics book, and I still can't grasp it. If you just explain this one, i think ill catch on to the rest of the problems.

A cardboard ball has a mass of 0.1 kg. A sheet of identical carboard has the same mass, 0.1kg. The two pieces of carboard are allowed to fall. One of them feels an air resistance force of 0.5 N. The other feels an air resistance force of 0.1 N. Which force goes with which object? Which object has a greater acceleration while falling? (Try to answer without doing any math.)

Thanks! :biggrin:
 
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  • #2
What do you know about air resistance's relationship with the size of the object (more importantly, the incident surface area). When you drop a ball and a piece of paper, which one is hindered more by air resistance?

For the second question, a force diagram should give you the answer.
 
  • #3
if you can't conceptualize the problem, why don't you try to actually do it experimentally? It's not very hard to make this experiment in your kitchen and it might just give you the visualization you need for the next questions.
 

FAQ: Solving Acceleration Problem with Cardboard Balls

1. How do you calculate acceleration using cardboard balls?

To calculate acceleration using cardboard balls, you will need to measure the distance the ball travels and the time it takes to travel that distance. Then, you can use the formula a = (vf - vi) / t, where a is the acceleration, vf is the final velocity, vi is the initial velocity, and t is the time.

2. What materials are needed for this experiment?

You will need cardboard balls, a timer, a ruler or measuring tape, and a flat surface to roll the balls on. You may also need a calculator to help with the calculations.

3. Why use cardboard balls for this experiment instead of other objects?

Cardboard balls are a lightweight and inexpensive option for measuring acceleration. They are also easily accessible and can be rolled on a flat surface without bouncing or rolling erratically like other objects may.

4. Can this experiment be done with different sizes or weights of cardboard balls?

Yes, this experiment can be done with different sizes or weights of cardboard balls. However, it is important to keep the size and weight consistent throughout the experiment to ensure accurate results.

5. How can this experiment be used to demonstrate acceleration in real-life scenarios?

This experiment can be used to demonstrate acceleration in real-life scenarios by showing how an object's acceleration can change over time. For example, you can roll the cardboard ball down a ramp with different inclines to show how gravity affects acceleration, or you can push the ball with varying amounts of force to demonstrate how force affects acceleration.

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