Terminal Velocity proportional to the Drag Force 𝑚𝛾𝑣² in free fall

In summary: The terminal velocity equation as a function of the coefficient γ² is easy, but the problem is that once you substitute in the ##u## variable the equation becomes messy.
  • #1
Victor Correa
5
4
Can anyone help me? I know that's wrong, but i don't know where.

Thanks for your attention so far.
 

Attachments

  • Drag Force.pdf
    441.6 KB · Views: 131
  • Like
Likes Delta2 and vanhees71
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
What question do you wish to find out?
 
  • #3
@Victor Correa putting content in attachments is not acceptable. You need to post your content directly in the forum, using the PF LaTeX feature for equations. There is a LaTeX Guide link at the bottom left of the edit window when you are composing a post.
 
  • Love
  • Like
Likes Victor Correa and malawi_glenn
  • #4
Obviously in #1 the OP looks for the solution of the equation of motion for free fall including air resistance,
$$\ddot{x}=\dot{v}=g-\gamma v^2.$$
This equation for ##v## can obviously solved by separation of variables,
$$\mathrm{d} t = \frac{\mathrm{d} v}{g-\gamma v^2}.$$
We need the integral
$$\int \mathrm{d} v \frac{1}{g-\gamma v^2} = \frac{1}{g} \int \mathrm{d} v \frac{1}{1-(\sqrt{\gamma/g}v)^2} = \frac{1}{\sqrt{g \gamma}} \text{artanh} \left (\sqrt{\frac{\gamma}{g}} v \right).$$
With the initial condition ##v(0)=0## we thus get
$$t=\frac{1}{\sqrt{g \gamma}} \text{artanh} \left (\sqrt{\frac{\gamma}{g}} v \right).$$
Solved for ##v## you get
$$v(t)=\sqrt{\frac{g}{\gamma}} \tanh (\sqrt{g \gamma} t).$$
The terminal velocity is
$$v_{\infty} = \sqrt{\frac{g}{\gamma}}.$$
 
  • Like
Likes Victor Correa, erobz, dextercioby and 3 others
  • #5
Yeah,after the ##u## substitution things get messy in your solution.

Leave the LHS as:

$$ \frac{1}{\gamma} \int \frac{dv}{ \left(\sqrt{ \frac{g}{\gamma }}\right)^2 -v^2 }= \frac{1}{\gamma} \int \frac{A dv}{\sqrt{\frac{g}{\gamma}} + v}+\frac{1}{\gamma} \int \frac{B dv}{\sqrt{\frac{g}{\gamma}} -v}$$

and continue with the partial fraction decomposition from there.
 
  • Like
Likes Victor Correa
  • #6
The error you make is saying that the integral of du/(1-u) = ln(1-u)
 
  • #7
hutchphd said:
What question do you wish to find out?
The terminal velocity equation as a function of the coefficient γ²
 
  • #8
PeterDonis said:
@Victor Correa putting content in attachments is not acceptable. You need to post your content directly in the forum, using the PF LaTeX feature for equations. There is a LaTeX Guide link at the bottom left of the edit window when you are composing a post.
Oh, I didn't know. Sorry
 
  • #9
vanhees71 said:
Obviously in #1 the OP looks for the solution of the equation of motion for free fall including air resistance,
$$\ddot{x}=\dot{v}=g-\gamma v^2.$$
This equation for ##v## can obviously solved by separation of variables,
$$\mathrm{d} t = \frac{\mathrm{d} v}{g-\gamma v^2}.$$
We need the integral
$$\int \mathrm{d} v \frac{1}{g-\gamma v^2} = \frac{1}{g} \int \mathrm{d} v \frac{1}{1-(\sqrt{\gamma/g}v)^2} = \frac{1}{\sqrt{g \gamma}} \text{artanh} \left (\sqrt{\frac{\gamma}{g}} v \right).$$
With the initial condition ##v(0)=0## we thus get
$$t=\frac{1}{\sqrt{g \gamma}} \text{artanh} \left (\sqrt{\frac{\gamma}{g}} v \right).$$
Solved for ##v## you get
$$v(t)=\sqrt{\frac{g}{\gamma}} \tanh (\sqrt{g \gamma} t).$$
The terminal velocity is
$$v_{\infty} = \sqrt{\frac{g}{\gamma}}.$$
You are my hero !
 
  • Like
Likes Delta2
  • #10
Victor Correa said:
The terminal velocity equation as a function of the coefficient γ²
So that is easy indeed $$\ddot{x}=\dot{v}=g-\gamma v^2.$$ Just demand$$\dot{v}=g-\gamma v^2=0.$$
 
  • Like
  • Informative
Likes Victor Correa, erobz, vanhees71 and 2 others
  • #11
hutchphd said:
So that is easy indeed $$\ddot{x}=\dot{v}=g-\gamma v^2.$$ Just demand$$\dot{v}=g-\gamma v^2=0.$$
My problem is this 🤣
 
  • Like
Likes hutchphd
  • #12
Victor Correa said:
My problem is this 🤣
Yeah, you had a bit of a "can't see the forest through the trees" issue.
 
  • Like
Likes Victor Correa

FAQ: Terminal Velocity proportional to the Drag Force 𝑚𝛾𝑣² in free fall

What is terminal velocity?

Terminal velocity is the maximum speed that an object can reach when falling through a fluid, such as air. It occurs when the drag force acting on the object is equal to the force of gravity pulling the object down.

How is terminal velocity related to drag force?

Terminal velocity is directly proportional to the drag force acting on an object. This means that as the drag force increases, the terminal velocity also increases.

What does the equation 𝑚𝛾𝑣² represent in relation to terminal velocity?

This equation represents the drag force acting on an object in free fall. The variables 𝑚, 𝛾, and 𝑣 represent the mass, drag coefficient, and velocity of the object, respectively. As the velocity increases, the drag force also increases, until it reaches a point where it is equal to the force of gravity and the object reaches terminal velocity.

How does air resistance affect terminal velocity?

Air resistance, also known as drag, is the force that opposes the motion of an object through air. As an object falls through the air, the force of air resistance increases until it is equal to the force of gravity, causing the object to reach terminal velocity. The larger the surface area and the greater the mass of the object, the greater the air resistance and the lower the terminal velocity.

Can terminal velocity be reached in a vacuum?

No, terminal velocity can only be reached in a fluid, such as air or water. In a vacuum, there is no air resistance, so an object will continue to accelerate until it reaches the maximum velocity possible.

Back
Top