Planning and Design #3

Title: Terminal velocity

It is useful to know how the speed of an object is affected by its size when it moves through
liquid in a confined space. In a laboratory this can be modelled by dropping small steel balls
through oil.

It is suggested that the terminal velocity v is related to the radius r of a steel ball by the
equation
v = kr2
where k is a constant.
Design a laboratory experiment to investigate whether v is related to r as indicated in the above
equation. You should draw a diagram showing the arrangement of your equipment. In your
account you should pay particular attention to

(a) the procedure to be followed,

(b) how the radius of the steel ball would be measured,
(c) how the terminal velocity of the steel ball in oil would be measured,
(d) the control of variables,
(e) how the data would be analyzed and how you would verify the relationship,
(f) any safety precautions that you would take.

Planning and Design #4

Title: Viscosity of liquids

All fluids, from liquids to gases illustrate the property of viscosity. Viscosity is a quantity
expresses the magnitude of internal friction in a fluid. Liquids will vary from “thin” having a
lower viscosity like water, to “thick” having much higher viscosity like honey or engine oil.
There are many ways to measure the viscosity of a liquid. Plan and design an experiment to
determine the viscosity (𝜂) of a liquid from a standard physics laboratory. You should
provide a clear diagram of your experimental setup and a clear and precise account of your
method and data analysis (including a free body diagram if necessary). Also pay attention to
the control of variables, any limitations and precautions, and be sure to define/state the
variables associated with any symbol used.
(Hint for pd #4- you should be thinking of an object (say a spherical steel ball) falling through
a liquid and the forces acting on it. Observe the net forces acting on the object at terminal
velocity. You should be plotting a graph and deducting 𝜂 from it.