Investigating the Effect of Surface Area on the Motion of a Falling Object Essay Example
How Surface Area Affects the Motion of a Falling Object
Introduction
During this investigation, varying surface areas of objects will be explored in a manner observing the motion as they fall. Most predominantly, this motion encircles speed. Speed is calculated from the formula below, and hence is directly proportionate to time taken when the distance travelled remains a constant.
Speed = Distance/Time
Surface area is likely to affect the time taken for an object to complete a descent, and therefore its speed during the descent, as higher surface area generally incurs a higher air resistance. Air resistance is derived from friction with gas molecules in the air, as the object collides with them. By increasing the surface area of the object, more molecules are collided with; meaning a higher force of friction is put upon the object.
During the object’s fall air resistance acts as an ‘upward’ force that works against the weight force – produced by the object’s mass. As surface area is the selected independent variable, weight will remain constant, meaning that the ‘downward’ force will also remain consistent. That said, the changing surface area will invoke a changing ‘upward’ force, thus implying that the resultant force will also change; making for a measurable relationship between surface area and speed of travel.
Factors of Investigation
Surface Area – this factor was chosen to implement in the investigation as it is likely to exhibit an obvious set of results that are capable of representing a clear pattern in which a correlation could be easily obtained with the use of the causal link discussed in the introduction
Weight – this factor was not chosen as changing the weight of an object can often affect the surface area substantially, therefore creating an unfair test of a single independent variable, as other uncontrolled variables would be present. Nevertheless, a change in weight whilst maintaining a standard surface
Introduction
During this investigation, varying surface areas of objects will be explored in a manner observing the motion as they fall. Most predominantly, this motion encircles speed. Speed is calculated from the formula below, and hence is directly proportionate to time taken when the distance travelled remains a constant.
Speed = Distance/Time
Surface area is likely to affect the time taken for an object to complete a descent, and therefore its speed during the descent, as higher surface area generally incurs a higher air resistance. Air resistance is derived from friction with gas molecules in the air, as the object collides with them. By increasing the surface area of the object, more molecules are collided with; meaning a higher force of friction is put upon the object.
During the object’s fall air resistance acts as an ‘upward’ force that works against the weight force – produced by the object’s mass. As surface area is the selected independent variable, weight will remain constant, meaning that the ‘downward’ force will also remain consistent. That said, the changing surface area will invoke a changing ‘upward’ force, thus implying that the resultant force will also change; making for a measurable relationship between surface area and speed of travel.
Factors of Investigation
Surface Area – this factor was chosen to implement in the investigation as it is likely to exhibit an obvious set of results that are capable of representing a clear pattern in which a correlation could be easily obtained with the use of the causal link discussed in the introduction
Weight – this factor was not chosen as changing the weight of an object can often affect the surface area substantially, therefore creating an unfair test of a single independent variable, as other uncontrolled variables would be present. Nevertheless, a change in weight whilst maintaining a standard surface