Final answer:
To estimate the terminal speed of a wooden sphere, we equate the gravitational force to the drag force and solve for the sphere's terminal velocity considering its density, radius, drag coefficient, and the density of air.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student is asking for the terminal speed of a wooden sphere falling through air, taking into account its density, radius, and drag coefficient. To estimate the terminal speed, we utilize the equation that balances the gravitational force and the drag force exerted on the sphere:
Fgravity = Fdrag.
The gravitational force (Fgravity) can be calculated by multiplying the volume of the sphere, its density, and gravitational acceleration. The drag force (Fdrag) can be calculated using the formula:
Fdrag = ½CdρairAsv2
where Cd is the drag coefficient, ρair is the density of air, As is the cross-sectional area of the sphere, and v is the terminal speed. Solving this balance for v will provide the terminal velocity of the sphere.