About
This SIM illustrates how drag force namely air resistance changes with the velocity of the object.
This in turn shows how the resultant force varies which affects the rate of increase of velocity.
The SIM hopes to visualise graphically how the forces vary as velocity increases and approaches terminal velocity.
Misconception of Students
· Students are unable to explain why objects eventually reach terminal velocity.
Outcomes of the simulator
· Students understand how velocity affects air resistance.
· Students understand objects remain accelerating before eventually reaching terminal velocity
Translations
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Credits
Tek Yong Shoun
Overview:
This briefing document summarizes the key themes and information presented in the provided sources regarding the concept of air drag under a "push model." The sources consist of what appears to be a standalone document by Tek Yong Shoun and a webpage describing an interactive HTML5 simulator developed under the Open Educational Resources / Open Source Physics @ Singapore initiative, with credit also given to Tek Yong Shoun. The focus of both sources is on understanding how air resistance affects the motion of an object and the concept of terminal velocity.
Main Themes and Important Ideas:
1. Illustration of Air Resistance and Velocity:
- Both sources emphasize the relationship between an object's velocity and the air resistance it experiences. The webpage for the simulator explicitly states that "This SIM illustrates how drag force namely air resistance changes with the velocity of the object." This suggests that the core concept being explored is the dynamic nature of air resistance.
2. Impact on Resultant Force and Acceleration:
- The webpage highlights how the changing air resistance directly influences the resultant force acting on an object. It notes: "This in turn shows how the resultant force varies which affects the rate of increase of velocity." This indicates that as air resistance increases with velocity, the net force propelling the object forward (under the "push") decreases, leading to a change in acceleration.
3. Visualization of Terminal Velocity:
- A central theme is the concept of terminal velocity. The webpage explicitly states that the simulator "hopes to visualise graphically how the forces vary as velocity increases and approaches terminal velocity." This implies that the simulator aims to provide a visual understanding of how the increasing drag force eventually balances the pushing force (and gravity, although not explicitly mentioned in these excerpts), resulting in a constant velocity.
4. Addressing Student Misconceptions:
- The webpage directly addresses a common student misconception: "Students are unable to explain why objects eventually reach terminal velocity." This underscores the pedagogical goal of the resources, which is to clarify this concept through visualization and interaction.
5. Learning Outcomes:
- The webpage outlines specific learning outcomes for users of the simulator:
- "Students understand how velocity affects air resistance."
- "Students understand objects remain accelerating before eventually reaching terminal velocity." These outcomes indicate that the resources aim to help students grasp the fundamental relationship between speed and drag, and the transition from acceleration to constant velocity.
6. The "Push Model":
- The titles of both sources refer to a "push model." While the excerpts provided do not explicitly define this model, it can be inferred that it describes a scenario where an object is continuously propelled forward by some force (the "push") while simultaneously experiencing air resistance opposing its motion. The simulator likely allows users to observe the interplay between this pushing force and the velocity-dependent drag force.
7. Simulator as a Learning Tool:
- The webpage strongly positions the provided HTML5 simulator as an educational tool. Features like the "Embed" option and the stated "Outcomes of the simulator" reinforce its intended use in teaching and learning environments. The inclusion of "Sample Learning Goals" and a section "For Teachers" (although the content is not provided in the excerpt) further supports this.
8. Author and Development Context:
- Tek Yong Shoun is credited as the author of the "Air Drag Under a Push Model" document and also under the "Credits" section of the simulator webpage. The simulator is part of the Open Educational Resources / Open Source Physics @ Singapore project, highlighting a commitment to freely accessible educational materials. The compilation with "EJS 6.0 (191124)" mentioned in the document suggests the use of the Easy JavaScript Simulations tool for creating the interactive model.
Quotes:
- From the webpage: "This SIM illustrates how drag force namely air resistance changes with the velocity of the object."
- From the webpage: "This in turn shows how the resultant force varies which affects the rate of increase of velocity."
- From the webpage: "The SIM hopes to visualise graphically how the forces vary as velocity increases and approaches terminal velocity."
- From the webpage (Misconception): "Students are unable to explain why objects eventually reach terminal velocity."
- From the webpage (Outcomes):
- "Students understand how velocity affects air resistance."
- "Students understand objects remain accelerating before eventually reaching terminal velocity."
Conclusion:
The provided sources focus on explaining the concept of air drag and its effect on the motion of an object under a continuous push. The central idea is that air resistance increases with velocity, eventually leading to a balance of forces and the achievement of terminal velocity. The HTML5 simulator is designed as a visual and interactive tool to help students understand these dynamics and overcome common misconceptions about terminal velocity. The work is attributed to Tek Yong Shoun and is part of the Open Educational Resources / Open Source Physics @ Singapore initiative, emphasizing its educational purpose and accessibility. The "push model" likely serves as the fundamental scenario within which these principles of air drag are explored.
Air Drag Under a Push Model: A Study Guide
Quiz
Answer the following questions in 2-3 sentences each.
- According to the "About" section of the simulator page, what is the primary concept this simulation aims to illustrate regarding air resistance?
- What misconception do some students have regarding moving objects, which this simulator intends to address?
- State one of the learning outcomes expected of students who use the "Air Drag Under a Push Model Simulator HTML5."
- Who is credited as the author of "Air Drag Under a Push Model" according to the provided text?
- Under what license is "Air Drag Under a Push Model" released?
- Where can the "Air Drag Under a Push Model Simulator HTML5" be embedded according to the information provided?
- Briefly describe what happens to the resultant force on an object as its velocity increases while experiencing air resistance.
- Explain in simple terms why an object eventually reaches terminal velocity when falling under the influence of gravity and air resistance.
- Based on the "About" section, how does the simulator help students understand terminal velocity?
- Besides the "Air Drag Under a Push Model Simulator HTML5", name one other physics-related simulation listed on the webpage.
Quiz Answer Key
- The simulator primarily aims to illustrate how the drag force, specifically air resistance, changes with the velocity of an object. This in turn demonstrates how the resultant force acting on the object varies as its velocity changes.
- Some students incorrectly believe that objects continuously accelerate without limit, failing to understand why they eventually reach a constant speed known as terminal velocity. The simulator aims to correct this misconception.
- One expected learning outcome is that students will gain an understanding of how the velocity of an object directly affects the magnitude of the air resistance acting upon it.
- Tek Yong Shoun is credited as the author of "Air Drag Under a Push Model" according to the copyright information provided in the excerpt.
- "Air Drag Under a Push Model" is released under a license, although the specific details of the license beyond its existence are not provided in the first excerpt. The simulator page mentions a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 Singapore License for the contents.
- According to the simulator page, the "Air Drag Under a Push Model Simulator HTML5" can be embedded in a webpage using the provided iframe code.
- As an object's velocity increases, the force of air resistance acting against its motion also increases. This increasing air resistance leads to a decrease in the magnitude of the resultant force acting on the object in the direction of its motion.
- An object reaches terminal velocity when the force of air resistance becomes equal in magnitude and opposite in direction to the driving force (like gravity). At this point, the net force on the object is zero, resulting in no further acceleration and a constant velocity.
- The simulator visually demonstrates how the forces acting on an object (like the applied push and air resistance) change as velocity increases. It shows graphically how air resistance grows until it balances the push (or other driving force), leading to terminal velocity.
- Examples of other physics-related simulations listed on the webpage include "Spinning Gyroscope JavaScript HTML5 Applet Simulation Model," "Projectile Motion: Experiment and Computational Model," and "MOTION OF A CHARGED PARTICLE IN A UNIFORM MAGNETIC FIELD JavaScript Simulation Applet HTML5," among many others.
Essay Format Questions
- Discuss the relationship between an object's velocity and the force of air resistance acting upon it, as illustrated by the "Air Drag Under a Push Model Simulator HTML5." Explain how this relationship influences the resultant force on the object and its acceleration.
- Explain the concept of terminal velocity in detail, referencing the principles demonstrated by the "Air Drag Under a Push Model." Address the common misconception that students have regarding this phenomenon and how the simulator aims to clarify it.
- Describe how a simulation like the "Air Drag Under a Push Model Simulator HTML5" can be an effective tool for teaching physics concepts, particularly those involving dynamic forces like air resistance. Consider the advantages of interactive visualizations in promoting student understanding.
- Analyze the factors that influence the magnitude of air resistance on an object. While the provided sources focus on the relationship with velocity, consider other potential factors and how they might be incorporated into a more comprehensive model of air drag.
- Based on the information provided about the simulator and the concept of air drag, propose a simple experiment (either physical or using the simulator) that could be used to investigate how changing a specific parameter (other than the initial push) affects the terminal velocity of an object.
Glossary of Key Terms
- Air Resistance (Drag Force): A force that opposes the motion of an object through the air. Its magnitude depends on factors such as the object's speed, shape, size, and the density of the air.
- Velocity: The rate of change of an object's position with respect to time and direction. It is a vector quantity, having both magnitude (speed) and direction.
- Resultant Force (Net Force): The vector sum of all the individual forces acting on an object. According to Newton's second law of motion, the resultant force is directly proportional to the object's acceleration.
- Acceleration: The rate of change of an object's velocity with respect to time. It is also a vector quantity.
- Terminal Velocity: The constant speed that a freely falling object eventually reaches when the force of air resistance equals the force of gravity. At this point, the net force on the object is zero, and it no longer accelerates.
- Simulation: A computer-based model that imitates a real-world process or system. It allows users to interact with variables and observe the resulting changes, facilitating understanding and experimentation.
- Open Educational Resources (OER): Teaching, learning, and research materials that are freely available for use, adaptation, and sharing, often under specific licenses like Creative Commons.
- HTML5: The latest evolution of the standard that defines HTML (Hypertext Markup Language). It is used for structuring and presenting content on the World Wide Web and includes features for multimedia and interactive elements.
- JavaScript: A high-level, often just-in-time compiled programming language that conforms to the ECMAScript specification. It is widely used as a client-side scripting language for web pages, adding interactivity and dynamic behavior.
- Push Model: In the context of this material, it likely refers to a simplified model where an initial force (push) is applied to an object, and the subsequent motion is then affected by forces like air drag.
Sample Learning Goals
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For Teachers
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Research
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Video
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Version:
Other Resources
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Frequently Asked Questions: Air Drag Under a Push Model
1. What is the primary focus of the "Air Drag Under a Push Model" simulation?
The primary focus of the simulation is to illustrate how air resistance (drag force) changes as the velocity of an object increases. It aims to visually demonstrate how this varying drag force affects the resultant force acting on the object, which in turn influences its rate of acceleration.
2. What key physics concept does the simulation aim to explain?
The simulation aims to explain the concept of terminal velocity. Specifically, it helps students understand why objects falling through the air do not continue to accelerate indefinitely but eventually reach a constant maximum velocity.
3. What common misconception among students does this simulation address?
The simulation directly addresses the common misconception that students are often unable to explain why objects eventually stop accelerating and reach a terminal velocity when falling or moving through the air.
4. What are the intended learning outcomes for students using this simulator?
Upon using the simulator, students should be able to understand how the magnitude of air resistance is dependent on the velocity of the object. Furthermore, they should grasp the idea that an object continues to accelerate as long as the net force (including the pushing force and the opposing drag force) is non-zero, eventually reaching a point where the drag force equals the pushing force (if any, or weight for falling objects), resulting in zero net force and therefore zero acceleration (terminal velocity).
5. How does the simulation visualize the concepts of air drag and terminal velocity?
The simulation provides a graphical representation of how the forces acting on the object (presumably the applied push force and the air drag force) change as the object's velocity increases. By observing these changing forces, users can see how the net force decreases over time, leading to a decrease in acceleration until terminal velocity is reached, where the forces balance.
6. Who created the "Air Drag Under a Push Model" resource?
Tek Yong Shoun is credited as the author of the "Air Drag Under a Push Model" resource and the creator of the simulator, which was compiled using EJS 6.0.
7. Where can the "Air Drag Under a Push Model Simulator HTML5" be accessed and potentially embedded?
The HTML5-based simulator can be accessed via an iframe embed link provided in the description: https://iwant2study.org/lookangejss/02_newtonianmechanics_3dynamics/ejss_model_airdrag3/airdrag3_Simulation.xhtml. This embed code allows the simulation to be integrated into other webpages.
8. Under what licensing terms is the "Air Drag Under a Push Model" resource released?
The content of the "Air Drag Under a Push Model" resource is released under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 Singapore License. However, the EasyJavaScriptSimulations Library used to create the simulator has a separate commercial use license, details of which can be found at https://www.um.es/fem/EjsWiki/Main/EJSLicense, and inquiries should be directed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
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- Written by Loo Kang Wee
- Parent Category: 03 Motion & Forces
- Category: 02 Dynamics
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