TITLE: Terminal Velocity of a Sphere

AIM: To test the relationship between the terminal velocity of a sphere (falling through a viscosity)
and the radius of the sphere

APPARATUS AND MATERIALS: Glass tube (length= 1.5m , diameter=3cm), rubber bung to seal one
end of the tube, one litre of motor oil, strong magnet, metre rule, retort stand, two boss heads and
two clamps, set square, funnel, 3 rubber bands, micrometre screw gauge, paper towels for cleaning
spills, 5 steel spheres of diameter 1 to 5mm, petri dish.

THEORY: when a sphere falls through a fluid of viscosity (η ), the downward force of weight (W)
initially exceeds the sum of the upward forces [of upthrust ( μ) and viscous force (Fv)] The weight and
upthrust are constant but the viscous force increases with velocity, where F v = 6 πηrv (Stroke’s law).
As the ball accelerates downwards, its velocity increases and therefore the viscous force increases,
until the upward forces balance the downward force (Dynamic Equilibrium). At this speed the
acceleration is zero and the sphere moves at a constant velocity, called Terminal velocity (v)

When a body moves at constant or terminal velocity (v), it takes the same time (t) to travel equal
distances (x) where (v=x/t)

DIAGRAM:

DIAGRAM SHOWING SETUP OF APPARATUS

PROCEDURE:

1. Clamp the glass tube as shown in the diagram and use the set square to ensure that the tube
is vertical.
2. Slowly fill the glass tube with oil and leave for some time to ensure that the air bubbles have
disappeared.
3. Put the first rubber band X) 50cm below the surface of the oil, the second rubber band (Y)5
cm below(X) and the third rubber band (Z) 5cm below (Y).
4. Measure and record the diameter (d) of each of the spheres, then calculate and record each
radius (r)
5. Some oil was poured in the petri dish and the largest sphere was moistened with oil
6. The sphere was carefully released from the centre of the tube, close to the surface of the
liquid.
7. The times (t1) and (t2) for the sphere to fall from X to Y and Y to Z was found. A magnet was
used to collect the sphere.
8. Steps 5-8 were repeated for each of the other sphere in turn.

RESULTS:

TABLE 1: SHOWING RESULTS OF FORCES EXPERIMENT

Rubber T1/s T2/s T3/s T4/s

Band

X 0.32 0.38 0.32 0.32

Y 0.70 0.66 0.63 0.64

Z 1.11 0.92 0.96 0.96

PRECAUTIONS:

1. The glass tube was slowly filled to ensure there were no air bubbles.

2. A magnet was used to remove the sphere so no excess oil was lost.

SOURCE OF ERROR:

1. The stopwatch was not timed properly.

CONCLUSION:

This experiment was conducted to test the relationship between the terminal velocity of a sphere
(falling through a viscosity) and the radius of the sphere. In conclusion, Stroke’s Law was observed to
be obeyed.