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 . If the ratio of their instantaneous velocities is , what is the ratio of the viscous drag forces acting on sphere A and sphere B?
Options
- A
- B
- C
- D
Correct answer
C.
Step-by-step solution
According to Stokes' law, the viscous drag force on a sphere of radius moving with velocity in a fluid of viscosity is given by:
Since both spheres are falling through the same oil, is constant. Therefore, the viscous drag force is directly proportional to the product of radius and velocity:
The ratio of the viscous drag forces is:
Substituting the given ratios:
Thus, the ratio of the viscous drag forces is .
Squaring the ratio of the radii (confusing the drag force proportionality with terminal velocity proportionality) would incorrectly yield .
Answer:
Since both spheres are falling through the same oil, is constant. Therefore, the viscous drag force is directly proportional to the product of radius and velocity:
The ratio of the viscous drag forces is:
Substituting the given ratios:
Thus, the ratio of the viscous drag forces is .
Squaring the ratio of the radii (confusing the drag force proportionality with terminal velocity proportionality) would incorrectly yield .
Answer: