Question

A large beach ball and a small baseball have a mass of 0.5 kg each. They are dropped at the same time from a flying helicopter. After a certain time t each of the two balls is falling down at its terminal velocity. What is the relation between the forces R of air resistance acting on each ball at time t?

A) the air resistance on the beach ball is greater than the air resistance on the small baseball.

B) the air resistance on the beach ball is smaller than the air resistance on the small baseball.

C)both air resistances are equal

D) we cannot tell

Answer 1

C) both air resistances are equal. Since both have the same weight, they will both reach terminal velocity when the air resistance equals their weight. The difference of course is that the beach ball will reach terminal velocity first because of its size and therefore a lower value of terminal velocity.