On the rise and fall of a ball with linear or quadratic drag
- 1 June 1999
- journal article
- Published by American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) in American Journal of Physics
- Vol. 67 (6), 538-546
- https://doi.org/10.1119/1.19320
Abstract
We review the problem of a vertically thrown ball, with a drag force which is either linear or quadratic in the speed. It is stressed from the outset that these two types of drag correspond to specific ranges of the Reynolds number (Re<1 and 103<Re<2×105, respectively) and do not hold outside these intervals. We also include the buoyant force in our treatment of the problem. The equations of motion are solved analytically and several true-to-life examples are discussed. The calculations are somewhat harder than for the well-known case without drag force, but no highbrow mathematics is required and the extra effort is amply compensated by the gain in realism and surprise value. © 1999 American Association of Physics TeachersKeywords
This publication has 14 references indexed in Scilit:
- Comment on “On the optimal angle of projection in general media,” by C. W. Groetsch [Am. J. Phys. 65 (8), 797–799 (1997)]American Journal of Physics, 1998
- Aim high and go far—Optimal projectile launch angles greater than 45°American Journal of Physics, 1998
- On the optimal angle of projection in general mediaAmerican Journal of Physics, 1997
- High-altitude free fallAmerican Journal of Physics, 1996
- Letter to the EditorAmerican Journal of Physics, 1982
- Letter to the EditorAmerican Journal of Physics, 1982
- What Goes Up Must Come Down; Will Air Resistance Make It Return Sooner, or Later?Mathematics Magazine, 1982
- Can a body pass a body falling through the air?American Journal of Physics, 1979
- Projectile motion with air resistance quadratic in the speedAmerican Journal of Physics, 1977
- Fall of Bodies Near the EarthAmerican Journal of Physics, 1965