Air Resistance

AP Physics C
 A falling object
Lets first look at the graphs of motions concerning a
object that is dropped from rest.
a(m/s/s)
y(m) v(m/s)

vT

t(s) t(s) t(s)

The acceleration is NOT
With air resistance it The acceleration will
constant but rather
takes MORE TIME to decrease as the
decreases. Here the slope
cover the displacement. object reaches a
decreases as TERMINAL
VELOCITY, vT, is reached. constant speed.
What is the velocity function?
Suppose we have an object of mass m that is dropped from
rest in air. Assume that the air resistance function is one
where it is in direct proportion with the objects speed,
FAIR=kv. What is the velocity of the object as a function of
time? Note : k is simply a constant of proportionality)

Lets start by making a free body diagram.

kv If the object WAS moving at terminal velocity,

then the velocity would be constant and the
object would be at equilibrium.

kv = mg
mg
mg
terminal velocity = vT =
k
What is the velocity function?
So then the question is, what is the velocity doing BEFORE it
reaches terminal velocity? IT CHANGES!

In the case we must create what is called a FIRST ORDER

kv
DIFFERENTIAL EQUATION. To do this we must simply
use Newtons second Law.
FNET = ma
mg mg kv = ma
dv
a=
dt
dv
mg kv = m
dt
What is the velocity function?
So what we are now looking for is a function v(t)
that is subject to its initial condition. In other
words, v(0)=? Start with your differential equation and
isolate the differential by dividing by mass in
dv this case.

mg kv = m Where did this negative come from?

dt This is the point where we could potentially
mess up the math. Remember that the
kv dv acceleration is DECREASING as it is
g = moving down due to air resistance. So the
m dt CHANGE is indeed negative. Thus the
negative MUST be inserted to make the
equation conceptually accurate.
What is the velocity function?
kv dv So now we must isolate the v term
g = since we eventually want a velocity
m dt function. To do that we must think
about which factor to pull out that still
k mg dv makes the statement true.
( v) =
m k dt Then we do what is called ISOLATE
THE VARIABLES. In other words, get
1 k all your v like terms on one side and
dv = dt all your non-v terms or t terms on
mg m the other. Make sure the negative sign
v is on the OPPOSITE side from your v.
k
What is the velocity function?
1 k So now we integrate both sides
dv = dt
mg m using appropriate limits. On the
v right side we must make sure
k to bring out our constant before
v (t ) 1 k t integrating.
v=0 mg dv = m t =0dt You will probably NOT need
v the TI-89 graphing calculator
k as there is an important Calc
1 rule here to remember.
x = ln x
What is the velocity function?
v (t ) 1 k t
dv = dt Integrating simply gives us the
mg natural log of whatever was in
v =0
v m t =0
denominator. Then we must
k APPLY the LIMITS.
v (t )
mg k t Also remember that Ln(a)
ln v = t |t =0 Ln(b) = Ln(a/b)
k |v = 0 m
mg mg k Note: The absolute value sign
ln( v(t )) ln( 0) = t 0 was removed by looking at the
k k m term inside and deciding if it is
mg TRUE. Since mg/k happens to
v(t ) be the terminal velocity we
k k
ln( )= t know it will be LARGER than
mg m v(t). Therefore the expression is
true.
k
What is the velocity function?
mg
v(t )
k k To get rid of the natural log we
ln( )= t must raise both side using e,
mg m according to the log rule.
k
e ln( a ) = a
mg
v ( t )
ln( k )
mg k
( )t
k m
e =e
mg
v(t ) k
( )t
The only thing left to do now is the
( k )=e m algebra involved in getting v(t) by
itself.
mg
k
What is the velocity function?
mg
v(t ) k
( )t
( k )=e m
mg
We have the final function but the real
k question is: IS IT TRUE?
k
mg mg m )t (
There is a way we can test it!
v(t ) = e
k k Start by placing 0 in for t
k
mg mg m )t (
e = v(t )
k k
k
mg (
m
)t
v(t ) = (1 e )
k
Testing the velocity function
k
mg
k
( )t mg ( )t
m
v(t ) = (1 e m
) v ( t ) = (1 e )
k
k k
k mg (
m
)( )

mg ( )( 0 )
m 0 v ( ) = (1 e ), e =
v ( 0) = (1 e ), e = 1 k
k k
( )( t )
m
1 1
mg e k
0
v ( 0) = (1 1) = 0m / s ( )( t )
m e
k e
When t is equal to 0, the mg mg
v(t ) = (1 0) =
velocity happens to be zero, k k
which is what we would expect.
The initial velocity is zero.
We use infinity to express a very long time. Remember that negative sign?
Remember that anything raised to the negative power is really in the denominator.
Since infinity is now in the denominator, we get zero. Therefore, after a very long
time the object must be moving at TERMINAL VELOCITY!