Stimulus: 1of 1.
A group of students performed an experiment to test terminal velocity, which is the greatest speed obtained by a falling object.
The students dropped different numbers of coffee filters and measured the resulting terminal velocity.
Which of the following conclusions is supported by the data in the following data table?
A.
Terminal velocity is when the force of gravity is equal to air resistance.
B.
Heavier objects take more time to reach terminal velocity.
C.
Heavier objects fall faster than lighter objects.
D.
The greater the number of filters, the smaller the terminal velocity.
Based on the data provided:
- As the number of coffee filters increases, the terminal velocity also increases.
This suggests that heavier objects fall faster than lighter objects. Therefore, the supported conclusion is:
C. Heavier objects fall faster than lighter objects.
Sure! Let’s analyze the data:
- With 1 coffee filter, the terminal velocity is 1.74 m/s.
- With 2 coffee filters, the terminal velocity is 2.48 m/s.
- With 3 coffee filters, the terminal velocity is 3.04 m/s.
- With 4 coffee filters, the terminal velocity is 3.50 m/s.
- With 5 coffee filters, the terminal velocity is 3.80 m/s.
As the number of coffee filters (and thus the mass) increases, the terminal velocity also increases. This indicates that:
- Heavier objects (more filters) fall faster (higher terminal velocity) than lighter objects (fewer filters).
In terms of the other options:
- A is a general principle about terminal velocity but does not directly address the specific data.
- B is not supported because the data does not provide information on the time to reach terminal velocity.
- D is incorrect because the data shows that terminal velocity increases with more filters, not decreases.
Thus, the best-supported conclusion from the data is C. Heavier objects fall faster than lighter objects.