All Flashcards
What is the effect of increasing the mass of an object on its terminal velocity (assuming the same resistive force)?
Increasing the mass increases the terminal velocity because a larger gravitational force needs to be balanced by a larger resistive force, which requires a higher speed.
What is the effect of increasing the constant k (resistive force) on the time constant?
Increasing k decreases the time constant, meaning the object reaches terminal velocity more quickly.
What is the effect of air resistance on the acceleration of an object falling from rest?
Air resistance causes the acceleration to decrease over time, approaching zero as the object approaches terminal velocity.
What happens as time approaches infinity for an object experiencing a resistive force?
The velocity approaches a constant value (terminal velocity), and the acceleration approaches zero.
What is the effect of a larger surface area on an object falling through air?
A larger surface area increases air resistance, resulting in a lower terminal velocity.
What are the differences between motion with and without resistive forces?
Without resistive forces: Constant acceleration (often due to gravity), linear change in velocity. | With resistive forces: Acceleration is not constant, velocity approaches a terminal value, exponential change in velocity.
What are the differences between a larger and smaller time constant?
Larger time constant: Object takes longer to reach terminal velocity, either due to larger mass or smaller k. | Smaller time constant: Object reaches terminal velocity more quickly, due to smaller mass or larger k.
What are the differences between the effects of air resistance on a skydiver in a spread-eagle position versus a streamlined dive?
Spread-eagle: Larger surface area, greater air resistance, lower terminal velocity. | Streamlined dive: Smaller surface area, less air resistance, higher terminal velocity.
What are the differences between the motion of a feather and a bowling ball in free fall with air resistance?
Feather: Lower mass, higher surface area to mass ratio, reaches terminal velocity quickly, falls slowly. | Bowling ball: Higher mass, lower surface area to mass ratio, takes longer to reach terminal velocity, falls faster.
What are the differences between initial velocity and terminal velocity?
Initial Velocity: The velocity of an object at the start of its motion, determined by external factors (e.g., how hard it was thrown). | Terminal Velocity: The constant speed that the object eventually reaches when the force of gravity is balanced by the drag force.
What is the effect of increased speed on resistive force?
The resistive force increases.
What is the effect of air resistance equaling the force of gravity?
The object stops accelerating and reaches terminal velocity.
What is the effect of a larger mass on terminal velocity?
The terminal velocity increases.
What happens when ?
The object reaches terminal velocity and stops speeding up.
What is the effect of a larger surface area on air resistance?
Air resistance increases.