Drag

A force acting on an object as it moves

through a fluid (liquid or gas).

Similar to sliding friction

If the fluid is stationary

If the fluid is moving, the drag force is proportional to the
magnitude of the relative velocity vobject v fluid .
Determining the exact relationship is not easy.

Quadratic Model (n=2)

1
FD = AC D v 2
2
= mass density of the fluid
A = cross-sectional area perpendicular to the
direction of motion
CD = coefficient of drag

The magnitude of the drag force is proportional to

the speed of the object
n
That is, F v
D

FD = bv

It is opposite the direction of motion

Linear Model (n=1)

b is a constant determined experimentally in most
cases.
b can be derived in some simple cases.

Example for a sphere

FD = 6 r v

= viscosity coefficient

r = radius

Models the drag force well for low v and laminar

(smooth) flow.

Application Terminal Velocity

When the drag force balances all other applied

forces, the acceleration will = 0.

Since the acceleration = 0, the velocity will remain

constant.

Lets examine a freely falling object.

Determined experimentally
.25 - .30 for a streamlined car

Models the drag force well for high v and

turbulent flow.

Application Terminal Velocity

Linear Model

Application Terminal Velocity

Typical terminal velocities

Raindrop 8 m/s
Baseball 40 m/s
Parachutist 5 m/s parachute open
Parachutist - 60 m/s parachute closed

Application Terminal Velocity

Quadratic Model

The engine in a minivan can generate

a maximum driving force of 3200 N.
The density of air is 1.2 kg/m3, the
cross-sectional area of the minivan is
3.4 m2 and the coefficient of drag is
0.50. Determine the maximum speed
the minivan can attain on a flat road.
Use the quadratic model.

Projectile Motion
t0 = initial time = 0
x0 = initial x position
y0 = initial y position
vx0 = initial x velocity
vy0 = initial y velocity
Acceleration is NOT constant!!!
ax = 0 and ay = -g

Fixed C.S.

time t

y0

time t0
^
j

x
^
i

x0

Summary Drag & Terminal Velocity

Linear

FD = bv

vter =

Quadratic

1
FD = AC D v 2
2

vter =

Both assume free fall with vo = 0.

Projectile motion

mg
b
2mg
AC D

Point was to show how things can get very complicated very fast.
We start with simple approximations/models and then build
complexity.