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needingtoknow
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Homework Statement
Several balls of different masses and radii are being dropped from a balcony. Why would increasing the height from which the balls are dropped so taht each ball reaches its terminal velocity before hitting the ground increase the time difference between the time the first ball hits the ground and the time the last ball hits the ground?
The Attempt at a Solution
The solutions say to achieve the largest time difference, each ball needs to achieve the greatest difference in acceleration, which means each should achieve its maximum drag force. Since drag force depends on velocity and velocity increases until it reaches terminal velocity, then the drag force is maximized when the velocity reaches the terminal velocity. Each object needs a long enough fall to achieve terminal velocity.
I don't understand why each ball needs to achieve the greatest difference in acceleration, in order to achieve the greatest time difference between the first and last ball that strikes the ground. Can someone clear this confusion? Thank you.