Variable acceleration and terminal velocity

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a physics problem involving a cube falling from a height of 200 m, reaching terminal velocity. The parameters include mass, cross-sectional area, and drag coefficient, with the objective of calculating terminal velocity and fall time while considering weight and drag forces.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the relationship between velocity and acceleration, attempting to derive expressions for acceleration as a function of velocity. Some express uncertainty about integrating to find velocity as a function of time and question the necessity of distance in the calculations.

Discussion Status

There is ongoing exploration of different approaches to relate acceleration, velocity, and time. Some participants have offered guidance on integrating expressions and checking values, while others emphasize the importance of understanding the physical situation rather than just the mathematical formulation.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the need for clarity on the role of distance in calculating terminal velocity and the time of fall, with some suggesting that achieving terminal velocity before reaching the ground may be relevant.

abdo799
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Homework Statement



A cube is falling from a height of 200 m (initial velocity =0) , it reaches it's terminal velocity . Given that :its mass is 100 kg , cross sectional area 40 cm2 and coefficient of drag 2. Putting only weight and drag in consideration , calculate its terminal velocity and time of the fall (g=10)

Homework Equations



W=mg , Fd= Cd*A*1/2*ρ*v2 ( ρ
=1)

The Attempt at a Solution


it tried to solve it using calculus , but all the formulas i had was integration or differentiation in respect to time , and i didnt have a function of time . i figured out a relation between velocity and acceleration , Fr=W-FD, after working it out , it was something like this , a=(100)/(1000-(0.08 v2) , i don't know what to do next , i don't know if i can substitute v with some something to get a function time
 
Last edited:
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abdo799 said:
it tried to solve it using calculus , but all the formulas i had was integration or differentiation in respect to time , and i didnt have a function of time . i figured out a relation between velocity and acceleration , Fr=W-FD, after working it out , it was something like this , a=(100)/(1000-(0.08 v2) , i don't know what to do next , i don't know if i can substitute v with some something to get a function time

$$a=\frac{dv}{dt}=\frac{dv}{dt}.\frac{dx}{dx}=\frac{dv}{dx}.\frac{dx}{dt}=\frac{dx}{dt}.\frac{dv}{dx}=v.\frac{dv}{dx}$$

Now, you have relation with which you don't need a function of time. And acceleration is a function of velocity.

Edit: check your acceleration again, it should be a little different.
 
abdo799 said:

Homework Statement



A cube is falling from a height of 200 m (initial velocity =0) , it reaches it's terminal velocity . Given that :its mass is 100 kg , cross sectional area 40 cm2 and coefficient of drag 2. Putting only weight and drag in consideration , calculate its terminal velocity and time of the fall (g=10)

Homework Equations



W=mg , Fd= Cd*A*1/2*ρ*v2 ( ρ
=1)

The Attempt at a Solution


it tried to solve it using calculus , but all the formulas i had was integration or differentiation in respect to time , and i didnt have a function of time . i figured out a relation between velocity and acceleration , Fr=W-FD, after working it out , it was something like this , a=(100)/(1000-(0.08 v2) , i don't know what to do next , i don't know if i can substitute v with some something to get a function time

Recheck value of Fd.

Your expression of net acceleration also looks incorrect .

mdv/dt = Fd-mg .

Substituting value of Fd ,you will get mdv/(Fd-mg) =dt .

Integrate with proper limits and you will get velocity as a function of time.What do you get ?
 
Last edited:
Tanya Sharma said:
Integrate with proper limits and you will get velocity as a function of time.What do you get ?
He'll need to calculate velocity as a function of distance first, otherwise "velocity as a function of time" information would be useless.

But yes, he does need to calculate "velocity as a function of time".
 
NihalSh said:
$$a=\frac{dv}{dt}=\frac{dv}{dt}.\frac{dx}{dx}=\frac{dv}{dx}.\frac{dx}{dt}=\frac{dx}{dt}.\frac{dv}{dx}=v.\frac{dv}{dx}$$

Now, you have relation with which you don't need a function of time. And acceleration is a function of velocity.

Edit: check your acceleration again, it should be a little different.

okay , this is how i got a
F= m/a
100/a = (100*10)-(1/2 * 1 * 2 * (0.42) v2)
100/a= 1000- (0.16 v2)
a=100/(1000-0.16v2)
if it's wrong please correct me
 
NihalSh said:
He'll need to calculate velocity as a function of distance first, otherwise "velocity as a function of time" information would be useless.

But yes, he does need to calculate "velocity as a function of time".

I believe distance doesn't play a role in calculating terminal velocity ,unless you want to determine if the object achieves terminal velocity before reaching the ground.
 
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abdo799 said:
okay , this is how i got a
F= m/a
100/a = (100*10)-(1/2 * 1 * 2 * (0.42) v2)
100/a= 1000- (0.16 v2)
a=100/(1000-0.16v2)
if it's wrong please correct me

Hey, ##F=m*a##.

Tanya already posted about this!...understanding the situation is more important. But here is the result:

taking +ve direction to be downwards, we have:

$$mg-F_{d}=ma$$
$$a=g-\frac{F_{d}}{m}$$
Substitute the correct values, you'll get acceleration as a function of velocity.
 
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Likes   Reactions: 1 person
Tanya Sharma said:
I believe distance doesn't play a role in calculating terminal velocity ,unless you want to determine if the object achieves terminal velocity before reaching the ground.

terminal velocity is just the condition when the object is in equilibrium. ##F_{d}=mg## for the terminal velocity in this question. But the question asks the time of fall, not the time to reach terminal velocity. Time of fall is surely enough, dependent on the distance.

I hope you get the point!

Edit: Yes, distance doesn't play important role here to calculate terminal velocity. But I was talking about velocity in my previous posts. And its time of fall depends on velocity and not terminal velocity. But to calculate final velocity and hence calculate time, we need "velocity as a function of distance"......to reach 100% of terminal velocity you need infinite/very large time, because velocity reaches terminal velocity asymptotically with time.
 
Last edited:
NihalSh said:
Hey, ##F=m*a##.

Tanya already posted about this!...understanding the situation is more important. But here is the result:

taking +ve direction to be downwards, we have:

$$mg-F_{d}=ma$$
$$a=g-\frac{F_{d}}{m}$$
Substitute the correct values, you'll get acceleration as a function of velocity.

worst mistake I've ever made , sorry , i drank like 5 cups of coffee , didnt sleep , got a test in 2 days
 
  • #10
abdo799 said:
worst mistake I've ever made , sorry , i drank like 5 cups of coffee , didnt sleep , got a test in 2 days

get some sleep, sleepiness and physics don't go hand in hand!:-p
 
  • #11
NihalSh said:
get some sleep, sleepiness and physics don't go hand in hand!:-p

Will do, thanks
 
  • #12
abdo799 said:
Will do, thanks

:thumbs:
 

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