Problem 1.

6 [Difficulty: 2]

Given: Small particle accelerating from rest in a fluid. Net weight is W,

resisting force is FD = kV, where V is speed.

FD = kV
Find: Distance required to reach 95 percent of terminal speed, Vt.
Particle
Solution: Consider the particle to be a system. Apply Newton's second law.
y
Basic equation: ∑Fy = may W
Assumptions:

1. W is net weight.

2. Resisting force acts opposite to V.

Then, ∑F y = W − kV = ma y = m dV
dt =
W
g V dV
dy or 1 − Wk V = V dV
g dy

At terminal speed, ay = 0 and V = Vt = W

k . Then 1 − V
Vg = g1 V dV
dy

V dV
Separating variables = g dy
1 − V1t V

Integrating, noting that velocity is zero initially

0.95Vt
0.95Vt V dV ⎡ ⎛ V ⎞⎤
gy = ∫ = ⎢ −VVt − Vt 2 ln ⎜1 − ⎟⎥
1
1 − V ⎢⎣ ⎝ Vt ⎠ ⎥⎦ 0
0

Vt

gy = −0.95Vt 2 − Vt 2 ln (1 − 0.95) − Vt 2 ln (1)

gy = −Vt 2 [ 0.95 + ln 0.05] = 2.05 Vt 2
2.05 2 W2
∴y = Vt = 2.05 2
g gt