Solution to Physics Cup Problem 1

Trocin Ruslan
lyceum ,,Prometeu Prim”
2023
November

1 Problem 1 . Solution with drag force

CONDITION1 : A solid cylinder of radius R and height H has density ρc and
is immersed in water of density ρw . The cylinder is initially kept at rest so that
its axis is vertical, and the distance between its bottom face and the bottom of
the water container is h. The water container has a flat rigid bottom, and the
depth of water in it is larger than H + h. At a certain moment, the cylinder
is released and starts falling. How long it will take for the cylinder to hit the
bottom? Neglect viscosity. Assume that :
1. ρc > ρw ;
2. H < R;
3. 10ρc h ≪ ρw R;
4. CD = 0;
I will obtain the solution for the problem with drag force coefficient CD = 0 for
the falling time. First I will write the Newton second Law of motion for this
cylinder :
d2 y
m 2 = G − Fr (1)
dt
Knowing that : G = mg , m = ρc πR2 H, S = πR2 and that
Fr = ρw gπR2 H (2)
We will obtain (3):
d2 y ρc − ρw
= g (3)
dt2 ρc
Integrating this differential equation 2 times with respect to time I achieve the
equation for the distance traveled by the bottom of the cylinder in function of
time with null integration constant , due to the selected coordinates.
ρc − ρw gt2
y(t) = (4)
ρc 2

1
Knowing that at the time of the contact between the bottom base of the cylinder
with bottom of the water container the y(τ ) = h , where τ is the time it took
the cylinder to fall to the bottom of the water container,I obtain the τ :
s
2ρc h
τ= (5)
ρc − ρw g

Using the 3rd assumption given by the author I can obtain the critical time
equation in relation to 5th equation for the falling time :
s
2h h
τ= (6)
1 − 10h
R
g
q
2ρc h
As a conclusion the solution of the problem is : τ = ρc −ρw g