Science > Physics > Two objects, same surface area, different mass. Why do they fall at different speeds ?
| Topic: |
Science > Physics |
| User: |
"Bat" |
| Date: |
25 Jan 2004 02:37:32 PM |
| Object: |
Two objects, same surface area, different mass. Why do they fall at different speeds ? |
The objects in question are bits of paper folded into a T shape with
paperclips attatched to the bottom to adjust the Mass. The one with
more paperclips falls faster, even though their surface area, and
therefore wind resistance is the same, pretty much. Now, in a vacuum
the they fall at the same speed. Here the wind resistance is also the
same (zero), so why the difference when in air?
Thanks
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| User: "Phil Holman" |
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| Title: Re: Two objects, same surface area, different mass. Why do they fall at different speeds ? |
25 Jan 2004 03:31:44 PM |
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"Bat" <elgcb1@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:b83bb3e9.0401251237.c803e3b@posting.google.com...
The objects in question are bits of paper folded into a T shape with
paperclips attatched to the bottom to adjust the Mass. The one with
more paperclips falls faster, even though their surface area, and
therefore wind resistance is the same, pretty much. Now, in a vacuum
the they fall at the same speed. Here the wind resistance is also the
same (zero), so why the difference when in air?
Thanks
Terminal velocity will be different which is defined as the speed at
which aero drag is equal to weight. The one with more paperclips weighs
more and will have a greater terminal velocity meaning it's acceleration
will not decay as fast.
Phil Holman
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| User: "James Stokes" |
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| Title: Re: Two objects, same surface area, different mass. Why do they fall at different speeds ? |
27 Jan 2004 02:54:24 AM |
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"Phil Holman" <philjud@earthlink.not> wrote in message
news:4BWQb.27318$zj7.13115@newsread1.news.pas.earthlink.net...
"Bat" <elgcb1@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:b83bb3e9.0401251237.c803e3b@posting.google.com...
The objects in question are bits of paper folded into a T shape with
paperclips attatched to the bottom to adjust the Mass. The one with
more paperclips falls faster, even though their surface area, and
therefore wind resistance is the same, pretty much. Now, in a vacuum
the they fall at the same speed. Here the wind resistance is also the
same (zero), so why the difference when in air?
Thanks
Terminal velocity will be different which is defined as the speed at
which aero drag is equal to weight. The one with more paperclips weighs
more and will have a greater terminal velocity meaning it's acceleration
will not decay as fast.
The T with more paperclips also experiences a lesser upward acceleration due
to buoyant force on account of its increased mass.
Phil Holman
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| User: "Greg Neill" |
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| Title: Re: Two objects, same surface area, different mass. Why do they fall at different speeds ? |
25 Jan 2004 03:01:15 PM |
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"Bat" <elgcb1@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:b83bb3e9.0401251237.c803e3b@posting.google.com...
The objects in question are bits of paper folded into a T shape with
paperclips attatched to the bottom to adjust the Mass. The one with
more paperclips falls faster, even though their surface area, and
therefore wind resistance is the same, pretty much. Now, in a vacuum
the they fall at the same speed. Here the wind resistance is also the
same (zero), so why the difference when in air?
Thanks
What's the point of the "T" shape? Is it to form a
propeller of sorts? Do the objects rotate as they fall?
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