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http://weelookang.blogspot.sg/2016/08/sypt2016-workshop-materials.html

"6/6 Paper Square Drag to Terminal Velocity SYPT2016 by Tze Kwang Leong"

This investigation centers on the motion of the largest paper square in the series, a 6/6 size, as it falls under the influence of gravity and air resistance. Using Tracker software, the study highlights the effects of maximum surface area on drag force, stabilization, and terminal velocity.

Study Guide:

Objective:

• Study the descent of a 6/6 paper square and its terminal velocity.
• Explore how maximum surface area impacts drag and stability during free fall.

Key Concepts:

1. Maximum Drag Force:

   • The 6/6 square experiences the highest drag force due to its large surface area.

2. Terminal Velocity:

   • A constant velocity achieved when gravitational and drag forces balance.

3. Stability and Fluttering Dynamics:

   • Larger surfaces introduce more complex motion patterns due to uneven air resistance.

4. Air Resistance and Lightweight Materials:

   • Paper's low weight makes it highly sensitive to drag forces, especially at larger sizes.

Experiment Overview:

• Setup:
  The 6/6 paper square is released from a controlled height, and its descent is recorded for analysis using high-speed video and Tracker software.

• Procedure:

  1. Drop the 6/6 paper square under consistent conditions.
  2. Record its motion with a high-speed camera.
  3. Analyze the video using Tracker to measure key variables like velocity, displacement, and stabilization behavior.
  4. Compare results with smaller paper squares in the series.

• Observation Points:

  • Time required to reach terminal velocity.
  • Stabilization patterns and fluttering behavior during descent.
  • Drag-induced changes in motion.

Questions to Consider:

1. How does the 6/6 square’s surface area affect its terminal velocity?

   • Answer: The larger surface area generates higher drag forces, leading to a lower terminal velocity and slower descent.

2. What instability patterns are observed in the 6/6 square?

   • Answer: Pronounced fluttering or tumbling motions may occur due to the large exposed surface area.

3. How does the motion compare to smaller squares?

   • Answer: The 6/6 square exhibits greater instability and takes longer to stabilize during descent.

4. Why is Tracker software critical for this study?

   • Answer: Tracker allows for detailed measurements of motion variables, facilitating accurate analysis of the descent.

5. What additional factors influence the square's motion?

   • Answer: Environmental factors such as wind, initial release orientation, and slight asymmetries in the square's shape.

Applications:

• Physics Demonstrations: A vivid example for teaching terminal velocity and drag concepts.
• Design Optimization: Insights for designing efficient drag-based systems like parachutes.
• Aerodynamics Research: Enhances understanding of large, lightweight objects in free fall.

FAQ:

1. What makes the 6/6 paper square unique in this series?

   • It is the largest square, experiencing the most significant drag and most complex motion patterns.

2. What challenges are specific to the largest square?

   • Achieving a stable descent is more difficult due to increased fluttering and drag-induced instability.

3. How do these findings apply to real-world scenarios?

   • Applications include parachute design, sail engineering, and aerodynamic studies of large surfaces.

4. What are the limitations of the experiment?

   • Environmental variability and ensuring a consistent release can affect the accuracy of results.

5. Can the experiment be expanded?

   • Yes, by testing with different materials, shapes, or environmental conditions, or using computational fluid dynamics for simulations.