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The relationship that drag has on the velocity of parachutes.
Research Question:
Can the relationship between drag and velocity, 𝑅 = 𝑏𝑣 ! , be proved experimentally by finding the
constant of proportionality?
Subject: Physics
Word count: 3770
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Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION 1
EXPERIMENT 5
HYPOTHESIS 5
VARIABLES 5
APPARATUS 6
METHOD 7
THEORETICAL MODEL 9
RADIUS AGAINST TIME 11
RAW DATA 11
PROCESSED DATA 11
DATA ANALYSIS 14
DRAG AGAINST VELOCITY (𝑹 = 𝒃𝒗) 15
PROCESSED DATA 15
DATA ANALYSIS 19
DRAG AGAINST VELOCITY (𝑹 = 𝒃𝒗𝟐) 21
PROCESSED DATA 21
DATA ANALYSIS 25
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DISCUSSION 28
CONCLUSION 30
BIBLIOGRAPHY 31
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Introduction
Parachutes are used for many reasons but the most common is transporting goods or people. Lots of
experiments were conducted to look more closely at the aerodynamics and other variables affecting
flight. I wanted to look at surface area since that is the easiest variable to change but it has many
affects, such as velocity, drag and drop time.
Figure 1 - shows dropped parachutes (Niche Inc., n.d.).
When doing some research, I found this equation 𝑅 = 1+2 𝜌𝐶" 𝐴𝑣 ! (Elert, n.d.). After looking at the
derivation, I wondered if it would be possible to find a constant of proportionality between drag and
velocity. Even though, it could be argued that the constant is 1+2 𝜌𝐶" 𝐴. I want to see if this was true
experimentally or if perhaps there are other factors involved. Learning about the different effects on
parachutes are very important for the designing process.
First, we need to derive the equation from simple concepts to help us understand this better. 2
equations, the pressure equation (𝑃 = 𝐹+𝐴) and Bernoulli’s principle (𝑃 = 1+2 𝜌𝑣 ! ), are substituted
to get our drag equation (𝑅 = 1+2 𝜌𝐶" 𝐴𝑣 ! ).
1
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The relationship that drag has on the velocity of parachutes.
Research Question:
Can the relationship between drag and velocity, 𝑅 = 𝑏𝑣 ! , be proved experimentally by finding the
constant of proportionality?
Subject: Physics
Word count: 3770
Downloaded by: anjalimalik | Want to earn
Distribution of this document is illegal $103 per month?
, Stuvia.com - The Marketplace to Buy and Sell your Study Material
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION 1
EXPERIMENT 5
HYPOTHESIS 5
VARIABLES 5
APPARATUS 6
METHOD 7
THEORETICAL MODEL 9
RADIUS AGAINST TIME 11
RAW DATA 11
PROCESSED DATA 11
DATA ANALYSIS 14
DRAG AGAINST VELOCITY (𝑹 = 𝒃𝒗) 15
PROCESSED DATA 15
DATA ANALYSIS 19
DRAG AGAINST VELOCITY (𝑹 = 𝒃𝒗𝟐) 21
PROCESSED DATA 21
DATA ANALYSIS 25
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DISCUSSION 28
CONCLUSION 30
BIBLIOGRAPHY 31
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Introduction
Parachutes are used for many reasons but the most common is transporting goods or people. Lots of
experiments were conducted to look more closely at the aerodynamics and other variables affecting
flight. I wanted to look at surface area since that is the easiest variable to change but it has many
affects, such as velocity, drag and drop time.
Figure 1 - shows dropped parachutes (Niche Inc., n.d.).
When doing some research, I found this equation 𝑅 = 1+2 𝜌𝐶" 𝐴𝑣 ! (Elert, n.d.). After looking at the
derivation, I wondered if it would be possible to find a constant of proportionality between drag and
velocity. Even though, it could be argued that the constant is 1+2 𝜌𝐶" 𝐴. I want to see if this was true
experimentally or if perhaps there are other factors involved. Learning about the different effects on
parachutes are very important for the designing process.
First, we need to derive the equation from simple concepts to help us understand this better. 2
equations, the pressure equation (𝑃 = 𝐹+𝐴) and Bernoulli’s principle (𝑃 = 1+2 𝜌𝑣 ! ), are substituted
to get our drag equation (𝑅 = 1+2 𝜌𝐶" 𝐴𝑣 ! ).
1
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