Determining terminal velocity
Physics and electronics discussion, revision, exam and homework help.
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Determining terminal velocityI have to plan an experiment to determine terminal velocity of steels balls of different radii. I know I will use a container with oil in it and will choose time taken to travel a certain distance well below the surface of the oil. What I want to ask is that what method do we use to ensure that terminal velocity has been reached?
Last edited by Zishi; 28-05-2012 at 14:39. -
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Re: Determining terminal velocityHere's the "text book" method.(Original post by Zishi)
I have to plan an experiment to determine terminal velocity of steels balls of different radii. I know I will use a container with oil in it and will choose time taken to travel a certain distance well below the surface of the oil. What I want to ask is that what method do we use to ensure that terminal velocity has been reached?
Just make sure the ball is not too large, point A is not too close to the surface and B not too close to the bottom.
The tube should be wide compared to the size of the ball.
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Re: Determining terminal velocityAlright, many thanks. Also, do you know the meaning of the term "suspect plots" when applied to drawing points on a graph paper, using the data recorded by doing some experiments?(Original post by Stonebridge)
Here's the "text book" method.
Just make sure the ball is not too large, point A is not too close to the surface and B not too close to the bottom.
The tube should be wide compared to the size of the ball.
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Re: Determining terminal velocityWithout the full context I imagine it means what I would call "anomalous readings". That is, readings that look wrong. You can spot these if you draw a rough graph while doing the experiment because they fall a long way from the expected range.(Original post by Zishi)
Alright, many thanks. Also, do you know the meaning of the term "suspect plots" when applied to drawing points on a graph paper, using the data recorded by doing some experiments? -
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Re: Determining terminal velocityYeah, I also thought of them as anomalous points. Thanks.(Original post by Stonebridge)
Without the full context I imagine it means what I would call "anomalous readings". That is, readings that look wrong. You can spot these if you draw a rough graph while doing the experiment because they fall a long way from the expected range.
