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Motion analysis of paper cup with (right) and without (left) paper clip

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- Terminal velocity_paper cup with and without clips.flv

Credits

Author: Tracker Workshop - Group 5 - Mr Tan and team
Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Document Brief: Title: "Terminal Velocity: Paper Cup with and without Clips by Mr. Tan and Team"

This document analyzes the experiment by Mr. Tan and his team, which investigates the concept of terminal velocity using a paper cup, both with and without additional mass in the form of clips. It provides insights into how added mass influences the speed and behavior of objects reaching terminal velocity.

Study Guide:

Objective: Understand the concept of terminal velocity and how added mass impacts the falling behavior of objects.

Key Concepts:

1. Terminal Velocity:

   • Terminal velocity occurs when the force of air resistance equals the gravitational force acting on an object, resulting in constant speed.

2. Effect of Mass:

   • Added mass increases the gravitational force, often leading to a higher terminal velocity because the object can overcome air resistance more effectively.

3. Air Resistance:

   • The resistance of air opposes the motion of objects. Larger surface areas or lower weights amplify this effect, reducing terminal velocity.

Experiment Overview:

• Setup: Use two paper cups of identical size and shape. Attach clips to one cup to increase its mass, leaving the other unaltered.

• Procedure: Drop both cups from the same height and observe their motion.

• Observation Points:

  • Measure the time taken by each cup to hit the ground.

  • Note differences in speed and stability.

Questions to Consider:

1. How does the added mass (clips) affect the falling speed of the cup?

2. Does the cup with clips reach terminal velocity faster than the one without?

3. How does air resistance influence the motion of each cup?

Applications:

• Design of free-falling objects like parachutes and safety equipment.

• Understanding how mass and drag coefficients interact in real-world scenarios.

FAQ:

1. What is terminal velocity? Terminal velocity is the maximum speed an object can reach while falling through a fluid, such as air, when gravitational force is balanced by air resistance.

2. Why use clips on the paper cup? Adding clips increases the mass, allowing for an examination of how weight influences terminal velocity and air resistance.

3. What would happen if this experiment were conducted in a vacuum? In a vacuum, there is no air resistance, so both cups would fall at the same rate regardless of mass.

4. How can this experiment be applied in real life? It helps in designing objects where controlled descent is crucial, such as in parachutes or aerodynamics.

5. What other factors could affect the results? The shape and surface texture of the cups, environmental conditions (wind, humidity), and the placement of the clips can influence outcomes.