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NEET
Exam
NEET
Subject
Physics
Chapter
Mechanical Properties of Fluids

NEET · Physics · Mechanical Properties of Fluids

Two steel spheres, A and B, are falling through the same viscous...

Two steel spheres, A and B, are falling through the same viscous oil. The ratio of the radius of sphere A to that of sphere B is 2:32:3. If the ratio of their instantaneous velocities is 3:43:4, what is the ratio of the viscous drag forces acting on sphere A and sphere B?

Options

  1. A1:31:3
  2. B8:98:9
  3. C1:21:2
  4. D2:12:1

Correct answer

C. 1:21:2

Step-by-step solution

According to Stokes' law, the viscous drag force FvF_v on a sphere of radius rr moving with velocity vv in a fluid of viscosity η\eta is given by:

Fv=6πηrvF_v = 6\pi\eta r v

Since both spheres are falling through the same oil, η\eta is constant. Therefore, the viscous drag force is directly proportional to the product of radius and velocity:
Fv∝rvF_v \propto r v

The ratio of the viscous drag forces is:
FAFB=(rArB)×(vAvB)\dfrac{F_A}{F_B} = \left(\dfrac{r_A}{r_B}\right) \times \left(\dfrac{v_A}{v_B}\right)

Substituting the given ratios:
FAFB=(23)×(34)=24=12\dfrac{F_A}{F_B} = \left(\dfrac{2}{3}\right) \times \left(\dfrac{3}{4}\right) = \dfrac{2}{4} = \dfrac{1}{2}

Thus, the ratio of the viscous drag forces is 1:21:2.

Squaring the ratio of the radii (confusing the drag force proportionality with terminal velocity proportionality) would incorrectly yield 1:31:3.

Answer: 1:21:2
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