A large raindrop falling a cloud is acted on by a gravitational force of 4.9 x 10^-3 N directed downward and a force of air resistance of 4.5 x 10^-3 N directed upward. What is the net force on the raindrop? What is the direction of the net force?
Thank you so much!
4.9 - 4.5 = 0.4
0.4*10^-3 = 4 * 10^-4 down because weight is bigger than drag up
To find the net force on the raindrop, we need to subtract the force of air resistance from the gravitational force.
Given:
Gravitational force = 4.9 x 10^-3 N (directed downward)
Force of air resistance = 4.5 x 10^-3 N (directed upward)
To find the net force, we subtract the force of air resistance from the gravitational force:
Net force = Gravitational force - Force of air resistance
Net force = (4.9 x 10^-3 N) - (4.5 x 10^-3 N)
Calculating the subtraction:
Net force = 0.4 x 10^-3 N
The direction of the net force is determined by which force is greater. In this case, since the gravitational force is greater than the force of air resistance, the net force will be directed downward.