Dynamics Of A Single Particle Falling Through A Funnel: An Analysis Of The Effects Of Friction On Average Trajectory Duration

Jay Sridharan

School Name

South Carolina Governor's School for Science and Mathematics

Grade Level

12th Grade

Presentation Topic

Physics

Presentation Type

Mentored

Mentor

Mentor: Scott Crittenden, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of South Carolina

Abstract

The objective of this research was to investigate the phenomena simulated by Zhang et. al. concerning a single frictional, inelastic sphere falling through a funnel. Zhang asserts that for funnel walls angled greater than 45 degrees above the horizontal, certain phenomena – such as the trend of average duration increasing as the angle increases – become extremely evident. These trends are important considerations when one is using a funnel system in order to accomplish a task such as limiting exit velocity or minimizing duration of time spent within the funnel. After plotting the average duration of a single acrylic sphere falling at various locations along the length of the funnel wall, we concluded that Zhang’s assertions do not hold true for every case.

Start Date

4-11-2015 10:00 AM

End Date

4-11-2015 10:15 AM

COinS
 
Apr 11th, 10:00 AM Apr 11th, 10:15 AM

Dynamics Of A Single Particle Falling Through A Funnel: An Analysis Of The Effects Of Friction On Average Trajectory Duration

The objective of this research was to investigate the phenomena simulated by Zhang et. al. concerning a single frictional, inelastic sphere falling through a funnel. Zhang asserts that for funnel walls angled greater than 45 degrees above the horizontal, certain phenomena – such as the trend of average duration increasing as the angle increases – become extremely evident. These trends are important considerations when one is using a funnel system in order to accomplish a task such as limiting exit velocity or minimizing duration of time spent within the funnel. After plotting the average duration of a single acrylic sphere falling at various locations along the length of the funnel wall, we concluded that Zhang’s assertions do not hold true for every case.