The air resistance effect can be major or minor depending on air velocity. This article deal with the study of various effects caused due to air resistance.
The effect of air resistance is seen on the object penetrating through the air medium. The air resistance is more on the object at high altitudes and those having high kinetic velocity. The air resistance tends to reduce the velocity of an object and thus its total energy.
Further in this article, we shall discuss the effect of air resistance on an object in different types of motions, how air resistance affects the object’s motion, how the time of an object’s flight varies due to this resistive force, and how gravity plays a role in exerting air resistance on an object, in detailed.
Effect of Air Resistance on Projectile Motion
The parabolic path traced by an object in motion is said to be in a projectile motion. Let us understand how air resistance affects the object’s projectile motion.
The air resistance can affect the velocity of a projectile, the trajectory angle, and flight time. The air resistance is initially exerted downward on the projectile as it travels upward, and the direction of resistance and motion is inverted as the projectile moves down toward the ground.
Effect of Air Resistance on Vertical Projectile Motion
The vertical distance along the y-axis is covered by an object in a projectile motion. Let us elaborate on whether air resistance affects vertical projectile motion.
The effect of air resistance is seen in the vertical motion of a projectile. The air resistance is responsible for increasing the flight time of an object in the air; this implies that the vertical velocity is decreased. The gravitational potential energy of the projectile depends on its velocity and air resistance.
Effect of Air Resistance in Circular Motion
The air resistance is felt while rotating or swirling in the air. Let us discuss how air resistance affects the circular motion of an object.
The air resistance is exerted on the object to oppose its circular motion. The air force is exerted at the centre and tangential to its circular path, developing thrust at the centre. The air resistance force increases if the object moves in a circular track at high speed.
How does air resistance affect motion?
Motion is affected by the external force that can either escalate or resist the speed. Let us further discuss how the object’s motion is affected by air resistance.
The air resistance affects the object’s motion by lowering its speed and energy. The air resistance force acts as a resistive force towards the object’s motion, exerted in the opposite direction of its velocity. The friction force due to the air molecules reduces an object’s kinetic energy into heat energy.
Why air resistance is negligible in projectile motion?
The object in a projectile motion shows variations in speed and energy. Let us discuss the reason behind the negligible air resistance felt on the object in projectile motion.
The air resistance is negligible in projectile motion because the motion is in a parabolic path, and the direction of friction force caused by the air resistance changes along with the variable horizontal and vertical velocities. The air resistance in the projectile motion is less for a small trajectory angle.
Effect of Air Resistance on Falling Objects
The object falling undergoes the air resistive force. Let us discuss how air resistance is felt on falling objects.
The air resistance is exerted upward against the direction of Earth’s gravity and reduces the object’s velocity. The work done by the air resistance on the falling object equals the work done by the air friction force on the object. The total air resistance on the falling object depends on its surface area.
Effect of Air Resistance on Pendulum
A pendulum is a swinging mass suspended from a fixed point. While swinging, the pendulum undergoes air resistance. Let us discuss the effect of air resistance on the pendulum.
The air resistance felt on the swinging pendulum leads to the extension of the time taken by the pendulum to complete its one oscillation. If the air resistance is high and the bob’s mass is low, the air resistance can change the speed of the oscillation and perturb its direction of oscillation.
Effect of Air Resistance on Trajectory
The trajectory can be parabolic or linear depending upon the magnitude of the force and its direction. Let us discuss the effect of air resistance on a trajectory.
The air resistance lowers the speed of an object in trajectory. Due to this, the time an object takes to reach the ground is increased. It is also responsible for changing the trajectory path of the object. Also, the range of an object varies based on the direction of air resistance and the object’s motion.
Effect of Air Resistance on Time of Flight
Flight time is the total time the object is in the air medium. Let us discuss how air resistance affects the object’s time of flight.
The air resistance increases the flight time of an object. The object in a trajectory travels in the horizontal path until the gravitational force becomes equal to the air resistance. The flight time is directly proportional to the object’s velocity in the air and is inversely related to the gravitational acceleration.
Effect of Air Resistance on Velocity
The velocity is high if the kinetic energy possessed by the object is more. Let us understand how velocity is affected by air resistance.
The air resistance decreases the object’s velocity by acting in the reverse direction of its motion. The object having low velocity in the air has less kinetic energy. The object’s velocity is varied based on the direction of its motion. Thus, air resistance perturbed the object’s energy state.
Conclusion
Air resistance affects the motion, velocity and direction of propagation of an object in motion through the air. The air resistance extends the time of flight of an object in the air. The air resistance exerted on the object depends upon its trajectory angle, which determines its range.
Also Read:
- Air resistance and gravity
- Air resistance vs friction
- How to find power with resistance and current
- Direction of air resistance
- How to find resistance when power and voltage is given
- How to find power with resistance and voltage
- Work done in air resistance
- How to find resistance with power and voltage
- What affects air resistance
- How to calculate air resistance
Hi, I’m Akshita Mapari. I have done M.Sc. in Physics. I have worked on projects like Numerical modeling of winds and waves during cyclone, Physics of toys and mechanized thrill machines in amusement park based on Classical Mechanics. I have pursued a course on Arduino and have accomplished some mini projects on Arduino UNO. I always like to explore new zones in the field of science. I personally believe that learning is more enthusiastic when learnt with creativity. Apart from this, I like to read, travel, strumming on guitar, identifying rocks and strata, photography and playing chess.