A 50kg obect falling through the air experiences a drag force of 90N. The acceleration of gravity is 9.8m/s^2. What is the magnitude of the net force on the mass?

1 Answer
Michael
Oct 22, 2015

400"N"

Explanation:

The weight of the object acting downwards = 50"gN"=490"N"

The drag which acts in the opposite direction =90"N"

So the net force =490-90=400"N"

At the point where the weight equals the drag, there is no net force acting on the object. Since Force = mass x acceleration the acceleration is zero and the object moves at constant velocity.

This is known as "terminal velocity".

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