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NEET
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Physics
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Mechanical Properties of Fluids

NEET · Physics · Mechanical Properties of Fluids

An air bubble of radius R is rising in a liquid of density and...

An air bubble of radius RR is rising in a liquid of density ρ\rho and viscosity η\eta. A solid spherical ball of the same radius RR and density 3ρ3\rho is falling in the same liquid. Neglecting the density of air, what is the ratio of the terminal speed of the air bubble to that of the solid ball?

Options

  1. A1:31 : 3
  2. B1:41 : 4
  3. C1:11 : 1
  4. D1:21 : 2

Correct answer

D. 1:21 : 2

Step-by-step solution

The terminal velocity vv of a spherical object of radius rr and density σ\sigma moving in a liquid of density ρ\rho and viscosity η\eta is given by:

v=2r2g9η∣σ−ρ∣v = \dfrac{2r^2g}{9\eta}|\sigma - \rho|

For the rising air bubble, the density of air is negligible (σ≈0\sigma \approx 0). The effective density difference driving the motion is ∣0−ρ∣=ρ|0 - \rho| = \rho.
Thus, its terminal speed is:
v1=2R2gρ9ηv_1 = \dfrac{2R^2g\rho}{9\eta}

For the falling solid ball, its density is σ=3ρ\sigma = 3\rho. The effective density difference is ∣3ρ−ρ∣=2ρ|3\rho - \rho| = 2\rho.
Thus, its terminal speed is:
v2=2R2g(2ρ)9ηv_2 = \dfrac{2R^2g(2\rho)}{9\eta}

The ratio of their terminal speeds is:
v1v2=ρ2ρ=12\dfrac{v_1}{v_2} = \dfrac{\rho}{2\rho} = \dfrac{1}{2}

Therefore, the ratio is 1:21 : 2.

Answer: 1:21 : 2
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