What is the Terminal Velocity of a Tennis Ball?
The terminal velocity of an object is the maximum speed it can reach when falling through a fluid (in this case, air). For a tennis ball, the terminal velocity is approximately 50 meters per second (112 miles per hour). This is reached after approximately 4 seconds of free fall.
The terminal velocity of a tennis ball is determined by a number of factors, including:
- The size and shape of the ball
- The density of the air
- The gravitational force
- The coefficient of drag
The size and shape of the ball affect its drag coefficient. A larger ball will have a higher drag coefficient than a smaller ball, and a ball with an irregular shape will have a higher drag coefficient than a ball with a smooth shape.
The density of the air affects the drag force. The denser the air, the greater the drag force will be. This is why a tennis ball will reach its terminal velocity more quickly on a windy day than on a calm day.
The gravitational force also affects the drag force. The stronger the gravitational force, the greater the drag force will be. This is why a tennis ball will reach its terminal velocity more quickly on Earth than it would on the Moon.
The coefficient of drag is a measure of the resistance of the air to the motion of the ball. A high coefficient of drag will result in a greater drag force. This is why a tennis ball will reach its terminal velocity more quickly if it is covered in fuzz or if it is wet.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the effect of spin on the terminal velocity of a tennis ball? Spin can increase or decrease the terminal velocity of a tennis ball, depending on the direction of the spin.
- Why does a tennis ball slow down as it approaches its terminal velocity? As the ball approaches its terminal velocity, the drag force increases, which slows the ball down.
- What is the terminal velocity of a golf ball? The terminal velocity of a golf ball is approximately 70 meters per second (157 miles per hour).
- What is the terminal velocity of a baseball? The terminal velocity of a baseball is approximately 45 meters per second (101 miles per hour).
- What is the terminal velocity of a ping-pong ball? The terminal velocity of a ping-pong ball is approximately 20 meters per second (45 miles per hour).
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