In an experiment, car 1 had a race with car 2 over a distance of 1508m. The two

Question

In an experiment, car 1 had a race with car 2 over a distance of 1508m. The two cars began from different positions, car 1 started 1508 m above the finish line while car 2 had to travel the distance on land. It was estimated that car 2 could do the 1508m in 37 seconds. Write a MATLAB code to estimate the velocity of car 1 as it falls and the time it takes for car 1 to fall 1508m and complete the race - taking into account air resistance as it falls. Based on your calculations and the time estimate for car 2, which car will win?

The velocity of a car 1 falling from a distance of 1508m can be found using:

m = 1200; Mass
p = 1.2; air density
g = 9.81; Gravity

CD = 0.46; drag coefficient

A=2.58; Area

Develop a MATLAB code to calculate the velocity and the travel distance, and make a graph of the velocity of the car as a function of time and a graph of the travelled distance of the beetle measured from the drop position as a function of time for these two cases:

1) No drag force

2) With drag force

Explanation / Answer

As an object falls faster and faster it is slowed by friction with the air as it tries to push through. When this wind from falling is so strong that it balances gravity, so the object does not fall any faster, that it is the terminal velocity for that object.

Factors that affect terminal velocity

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse I
• Subjects

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.