Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination

Internal Assessment

Candidate Names: Candidate Number:

Amelie Burnham 0900470100
Areefa Mohamed 0900470410
Rhoshauna Stephen 0900470623
Tessany Douglas 0900470631
Stavette Zion 0900470755

Centre Name: St. Stanislaus College

Centre Number: 090047
Territory: Guyana
Year of Examination: 2024
Subject: Pure Mathematics
Teacher: Mrs. Najuma Greenidge
Table of Contents

Acknowledgement...........................................................................................................................................2

Title..................................................................................................................................................................3

Problem Statement...........................................................................................................................................5

Mathematical Formation..................................................................................................................................6

Problem Solution..............................................................................................................................................9

Application of Solution..................................................................................................................................16

Discussion........................................................................................................................................................5

Conclusion and Recommendations..................................................................................................................6

References........................................................................................................................................................7
 Acknowledgement

First and foremost, we would like to thank our lord and savior, the almighty God, for his showers

of blessings throughout our assignment to complete, and for mentally guiding us along the

process.

We are equally appreciative of our dedicated mathematics teacher, Miss Najuma Greenidge. We

extend our heartfelt gratitude for her unwavering and invaluable assistance which served as the

cornerstone of this project’s success.

Finally, we extend our profound appreciation to our parents for their love, prayers, caring, and

sacrifices for educating, preparing us for our futures, and being a constant source of inspiration

and drive.
 Title

An Investigation into the Relationship between the Shape and Terminal Velocity of Objects in

Freefall.
 Problem Statement

A scientist wishes to find out, if the mass and density of an object remain constant, whether its

shape affects its terminal velocity, and the time and distance taken to reach its terminal velocity.

The following shapes will be analyzed: cube, flat sheet, sphere, circular cone.
 Mathematical Formation

𝑚 – mass

𝑎 – acceleration

𝐹 – force

𝐹𝐷 – drag force.

𝑥 – displacement

𝑣 – velocity

𝑡 – time

𝐴 – cross-sectional area

𝜌 – density of fluid

𝐶𝐷 – drag coefficient.

For non-cubed shapes, only one set of dimensions will be used in the analysis.

In our hypothetical, we will use the mass at 10 kg volume 64000 𝑐𝑚3 or 0.064 𝑚3.

Cube

Length of 1 side = 40 cm or 0.4 m

 Cross-section 𝐴 = (0.4)2 = 0.16 𝑚2

Flat Sheet

Using a thickness of 1 cm

Dimensions = 32 cm, 16 cm

Cross-section = (0.32) (0.16) = 0.0512

Sphere 4 3
𝜋𝑟 = 5.12 × 10 4
3

r = (3.84 × 10 4 / ) 𝜋

1
Cross-section 𝐴= (4 r ) = 2𝑟2
2

( )
−4 2/ 3
3.84 ×10
¿2π
π

=0.0015m2

Cone

1 2
Volume = πr h
3

Using ℎ = 24 𝑐𝑚

0.08𝑟2 = 5.12 × 10 4

0 , 08
𝑟=
√π
2 2 2
s =h + r
 2
2 0.08
¿ 0.24 +
π

1
¿ (0.0576 π +0.0064 )
π

Cross-section 𝐴 = 𝑟𝑠

0 , 08
𝐴= (0.0576𝑚
+ 0.0064) = 0.00846 𝑚 2
√π

Mathematics Tools to be Employed:

● Laws of Logarithms

● Geometry

● Trigonometry

● Limits

● Integration

● Differential Equations

Definitions

Newton’s Second Law: 𝐹𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 𝑚𝑎

Acceleration
 dv
a=
dt

dv dx
a= ×
dx dt

dv
a=v
dx

Problem Solution

Consider the Freebody diagram of an object in free fall.

Weight due to gravity: 𝑊 = 𝑚𝑔

2
𝐶𝐷𝐴
1
Drag force: 𝐹𝐷 = 𝑣
2

For simplicity purposes: Let

1
𝑘 = 𝐶𝐷𝐴 𝐹𝐷 = 𝑘𝑣²
2
 Using Newton’s Second Law,

𝑊 − 𝐹𝐷 = 𝑚𝑎

𝑚𝑔 𝑘𝑣2 = 𝑚𝑎

Velocity as a Function of Time

dt
𝑚𝑔 𝑘𝑣2 = m dv

𝑑𝑡 = 𝑚𝑔 𝑘𝑣2 𝑑𝑣

v=
√ mg
k
sin

𝑑𝑣 =
√ mgcosθ dθ cos 𝜃
k

t=m
√ m
k ∫ mg−mg sin2 θ dθ

t=
m mg
mg k √
∫ secθ dθ

t=
g k√
1 mg
ln ( secθ +tanθ ) +c
 v
sinθ=

√ mg
k

t=
√
1 mg
g k
ln ( secθ +tanθ ) +c

t=
√
1 mg
ln
1
√ mg
k
+v
+c

√
g k 1
h ( mg−kv 2 )
k

t=
√
1 mg √ mg+ v √ k
g k
ln
√ mg−kv 2
+c

When 𝑡 = 0, 𝑣 = 0

0=
√ ( )
1 mg
g k
ln √ mg +c → c=0
√ mg
Hence
t= √ ln
m
gk ( √ mg+ v √ k
√ ( mg−kv2) )
Velocity as a Function of Displacement

dv
𝑚𝑔 𝑘𝑣2 = 𝑚𝑣
dx

mv
𝑑𝑥 = dv

mg−kv 2

m
x=
ln ( mg−kv 2 ) +c 2 k

When 𝑥 = 0, 𝑣 = 0

−m
0= ln ( mg )
2k

Therefore,

m m
ln ( mg ) − ln ( mg−kv )
2
x=
2k 2k

2k
m
x=ln
mg
mg−kv
2 ( )

( )
2
mg−kv −2 k
ln = x
mg m

v 2=
mg
k (
1−e−
2k
m
x )
Equations of Motion in Free Fall

t=
1
√ mgk
ln
( √√
mg+ v √ k
mg−kv 2 )

v=
2 mg
k (
1−e−
2k
m
x )
Where

2𝐶𝐷𝐴
1
k = pv
2

Density of Air 𝑘= 1.29 𝑔𝑚 3

Mass of object 𝑚 = 10 𝑘𝑔

( vt )❑ =
2 mg
❑ lim 1−e−
k x→ ∞ m(
2k
x =
mg
k )
More useful is the distance when 99.9% of terminal velocity is reached.

99.9 % ❑vt =0.999

√ mg
k

Distance at which 99.9% of Terminal velocity is achieved:

0.99801 mg mg
k
=
k
2k
1−e− x
m ( )
2k
0.99801=1−e− x
m

2k
e− =0.001999
m
 −2 k
x=ln ( 0.001999 )
m

−m ln ( 0.001999 )
x=
2k

1 1
k = ρ C D A= ( 1.29 ) C D A
2 2

Therefore:

−10 ln ( 0.001999 )
x=
( 1.29 ) C D A

51.8
x=
CD A
 Application of Solution
Consider the Cube:

Drag Coefficient of Cube 𝐶𝐷 = 1.05

Cross-Sectional Area of Cube 𝐴 = 0.16𝑚2

The distance at which 99.9% of the Terminal velocity of the cube is achieved:

51.8
x=
1.05 ( 0.16 )

𝑥 = 308 𝑚

Time taken to reach 99.9% of Terminal Velocity

t=
√ m
gk
ln ⁡(
√ mg+v √ k )
√mg−k v 2

1 1
𝑘 = 𝜌C D 𝐴 = (1.29) (1.05) (0.16) = 0.10
2 2

mg 9.99 9.99
99.9%𝑣𝑡 = 0.999 = = = 30.3
k √ 0.1084 0.33

t=
1
√ 0.1084
ln
(√ 10+30.3 √ 1.084
100−0.1084 ( 30.3 ) ❑2 )

𝑡 = 10.1 𝑠
 Consider the Sphere:

Drag Coefficient of Sphere S𝐷 = 0.47

Cross-Sectional Area of Sphere 𝐴 = 0.015𝑚2

The distance at which 99.9% of the Terminal velocity of the sphere is achieved:

51.8
x=
0.47 ( 0.015 m2 )

𝑥 = 7,347.5m

Time taken to reach 99.9% of Terminal Velocity

t=
√ m
gk
ln ⁡(
√ mg+v √ k )
√mg−k v 2

1 1
𝑘 = 𝜌C D 𝐴 = (1.29) (0.47) (0.015) = 0.004
2 2

mg 9.99 9.99
99.9%𝑣𝑡 = 0.999 = = = 149
k √ 0.0045 0.067

t=
1
√ 0.1084
ln
(√ 10+149 √ 1.084
100−0.1084 ( 149 ) ❑2 )
𝑡=5𝑠
Consider the Cone:

Drag Coefficient of Cone C𝐷 = 0.50

Cross-Sectional Area of Cone A = 0.0085𝑚2

The distance at which 99.9% of the Terminal velocity of the cone is achieved:

51.8 m
x=
0.50 ( 0.0085 m2 )

𝑥 = 121,882m

Time taken to reach 99.9% of Terminal Velocity

𝑡=
√ m
gk
ln ⁡(
√ mg+v √ k )
√mg−k v 2

1 1
𝑘 = 𝜌C D 𝐴 = (1.29) (0.50) (0.0085) = 0.002
2 2

mg 9.99 9.99
99.9%𝑣𝑡 = 0.999 = = = 199.8
k √ 0.0027 0.05

t=
1
√ 0.1084
ln
( 10+199.8 √ 1.084
√100−0.1084 ( 199.8 ) ❑2 )
𝑡=4𝑠
 Consider the Flat Sheet:

Drag Coefficient of Flat Sheet FS𝐷 = 1.17

Cross-Sectional Area of Flat Sheet A = 0.0512𝑚2

The distance at which 99.9% of the Terminal velocity of the Flat Sheet is achieved:

51.8 m
x=
1.17 ( 0.0512 m2)

𝑥 = 16,709.7m

Time taken to reach 99.9% of Terminal Velocity

𝑡=
√ m
gk
ln ⁡(
√ mg+v √ k )
√mg−k v 2

1 1
𝑘 = 𝜌C D 𝐴 = (1.29) (1.17) (0.0512) = 0.03
2 2

mg 9.99 9.99
99.9%𝑣𝑡 = 0.999 = = = 52.6
k √ 0.038 0.19

t=
1
√ 0.1084
ln
(√ 10+52.6 √ 1.084
100−0.1084 ( 52.6 ) ❑2 )
𝑡 = 4.7 𝑠
 Discussion
Various mathematical tools were used to calculate the results seen. These include Laws of

Logarithms, Geometry, Trigonometry, Limits, Integration, and Differential Equations.

A distance of x= 308m was seen/displayed when 99.9% of terminal velocity was achieved.

The formula used to calculate this was:

51.8
x=
1.05 ( 0.16 )

The time taken to reach 99.9% of terminal velocity was 10.1 s. The formula used to calculate this

was:

t=
√ m
gk
ln ⁡(
√ mg+v √ k )
√mg−k v 2
1 1
𝑘 = 𝜌𝐶𝐷𝐴 = (1.29) (1.05) (0.16) = 0.108
2 2

mg 9.99 9.99
99.9%𝑣𝑡 = 0.999 = = = 30.3
k √ 0.1084 0.33

t=
1
√ 0.1084
ln
(√ 10+30.3 √ 1.084
100−0.1084 ( 30.3 ) ❑2 )
These numerical figures are with regard to the Cube with drag coefficient 1.05 and cross-sectional

area of 0.16m².
Between the terminal velocity and shape of the object, an object with a large cross-sectional area

or a high drag coefficient will fall slower than an object with a small area or low drag coefficient.

This is because terminal velocity increases with size.

 Conclusion and Recommendations

By using mathematical tools such as geometry, trigonometry, limits, integration, and differential

equations, it can be deduced that the shape of an object has a direct effect on its terminal velocity.

To ensure the most accurate calculations, it is advised that a scientific calculator is used in the

process as well as careful and precise substitution of values and proper use of the formulas and

equations. Correct units should be utilized to aid in a better understanding of what is being done.
 References
NASA Glenn Research Center. (2022, July 21). Motion of Free Falling Object | Glenn Research

Center | NASA. Retrieved from https://www1.grc.nasa.gov/beginners-guide-to-

aeronautics/motion-of-free-falling-object/

Terminal Velocity Definition, Formula & Examples - Lesson | Study.com. (n.d.). Retrieved from

https://study.com/learn/lesson/terminal-velocity-formula-examples.html