You are holding two identical-looking balloons, one filled with air and one filled with water. You drop these two balloon from a very tall bridge and notice that the water-filled balloon hits the ground first because its terminal velocity is larger. The terminal velocity of the water balloon is larger than that of air balloon because
A. conservation of momentum requires the lighter air-filled balloon to travel more slowly.
B. although the drag forces on the two equally shaped balloons are the same, the buoyant force on the air balloon is larger so the net force on that balloon is smaller and it falls more slowly.
C. the larger force of gravity on the water balloon must be balanced by a larger drag force, which occurs at a higher speed.
D. although the force of gravity on the two balloons is the same, the water balloon has more inertia and travels downward more quickly.
Answer:C
You are holding two identical-looking balloons, one filled with air and one filled with water. You drop these two balloon from a very tall bridge and notice that the water-filled balloon hits the ground first because its terminal velocity is larger. The terminal velocity of the water balloon is larger than that of air balloon because
A. conservation of momentum requires the lighter air-filled balloon to travel more slowly. B. although the drag forces on the two equally shaped balloons are the same, the buoyant force on the air balloon is larger so the net force on that balloon is smaller and it falls more slowly. C. the larger force of gravity on the water balloon must be balanced by a larger drag force, which occurs at a higher speed. D. although the force of gravity on the two balloons is the same, the water balloon has more inertia and travels downward more quickly.