Table tennis and air resistance

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a physics problem involving a table-tennis ball falling at a constant speed, specifically focusing on the forces acting on the ball, including air resistance. The subject area is dynamics, particularly the concepts of forces and motion.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the implications of the ball falling at a constant speed, questioning why it is not accelerating despite the force of gravity acting on it. They discuss the relationship between forces and motion, particularly the balance of forces when an object is in uniform motion.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants raising questions about the nature of forces acting on the ball and the implications of constant velocity. There is a focus on understanding the balance of forces rather than reaching a consensus on a solution.

Contextual Notes

Participants are considering the effects of air resistance and gravitational force, and there is an underlying assumption that the ball's constant speed indicates a balance of forces. The problem's constraints, such as the mass of the ball and the given speed, are acknowledged but not fully resolved.

Michael17
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Could anyone please explain to me how to work the following question out?

A table-tennis ball of mass 10g is falling towards the ground with a constant speed of 8.2m/s. Calculate the magnitude and direction of the air resistance force acting on the ball.
 
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Shouldn't the ball be accelerating at g? But it falls at constant speed, huh?
 
What forces are acting on the ball? Since it is in uniform motion, the acceleration and total force are obvious. Should be easy to find the unknown force of air resistance!
 
vivesdn said:
Shouldn't the ball be accelerating at g? But it falls at constant speed, huh?

If the speed is constant doesn't it mean to you that there is no net accelerating force?
 

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