Re: [Phys-L] Terminal velocity in water
Include gravity, mg.
The drag force on a sphere is not a simple function.
It is dependent on the ratio of the sphere density to the density of water.
The student might try the same experiment again but with other fluid
densities, maybe try glycerin/glycerine/glycerol or mineral oil.
It is explained well if you and the student read this article from The
Physics Teacher OCTOBER 01 2010 called
Falling and Rising in Water
by Pirooz Mohazzabi
TPT 48, 478–479 (2010)
If you need access to a copy of the article then contact me.
- JZ
--
Gerald Zani
Senior Engineering Technician
Brown University School of Engineering
(401) 863-9571