How Do You Calculate the Force of Air Friction on a Falling Basketball?

Fdrag=ma-mgIn summary, the problem involves finding the force of air friction on a 2.5kg basketball dropped from the top of a building with an acceleration of 9.4m/s2. To solve for this, we can use the formula F=ma, where m is the mass of the ball (2.5kg) and a is the acceleration (9.4m/s2). However, we must also consider the force of gravity (mg) and subtract it from the force of air resistance (Fdrag) to get the final answer. This difference in forces is caused by the presence of air, and in a vacuum, the ball would experience a different acceleration due to
  • #1
renixrawr
1
0
NEWTON'S LAWS: please help!

:eek:

so I am kinda stuck.

problem:

a 2.5kg basketball is dropped from the top of a building. its acceleration is found to be 9.4m/s2 as it drops to the ground. What is the force of air friction on the ball as it falls?

so like...

a=9.4
m-2.5kg
ffs=?
fg=ma
=(2.5)(9.8)
fg= 24.5N

now how do i find Ffs?
 
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  • #2
What would the acceleration be if there were no air (like in a vacuum)? What causes the difference? How can you use F=ma to solve for the air resistance force and acceleration?
 
  • #3
from ma=mg+Fdrag that simple. a is given, g is 9.8
 

FAQ: How Do You Calculate the Force of Air Friction on a Falling Basketball?

What are Newton's three laws of motion?

Newton's three laws of motion are: 1) an object will remain at rest or in motion at a constant velocity unless acted upon by an external force, 2) force equals mass times acceleration, and 3) for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

How do these laws affect everyday life?

These laws are used to explain and predict the motion of objects in our everyday lives. For example, they can help explain why a ball will keep rolling on a flat surface unless stopped by a force, or why a car will continue to move forward unless the brakes are applied.

How did Newton come up with these laws?

Newton developed these laws through his observations and experiments on motion and forces. He published them in his famous work, "Principia Mathematica," in 1687.

Can Newton's laws be applied to all types of motion?

Yes, Newton's laws can be applied to all types of motion, including linear, circular, and rotational motion.

Are there any limitations to Newton's laws?

While Newton's laws are accurate in most scenarios, they do have some limitations. For example, they do not account for the effects of relativity or quantum mechanics, and they do not fully explain the behavior of objects at very high speeds or small scales.

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