TITLE:
Computational Solution to the Problems of Projectile Motion under Significant Linear Drag Effect
AUTHORS:
Annasi Ayubu Said, Msafiri Mmasa Mshewa, Grant Charles Mwakipunda, Mbega Ramadhani Ngata, Elfakiri Ali Mohamed
KEYWORDS:
Drag Force, Air Resistance, Projectile, Newton’s Law
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Applied Sciences,
Vol.13 No.4,
April
21,
2023
ABSTRACT: This paper
investigates the computational solution to the problem of projectile motion
under a significant linear drag effect. The drag force acting on the particle
within the medium of propagation is proportional to the cross-section
area of the projectile, the velocity of the particle, and the medium’s density.
From zero air resistance force (vacuum) the problems are well known with
solutions, but with air resistance (drag force) the problems have no exact
analytical solutions which lead to most of the significant scientific research
works using numerical methods. Therefore, this study aims to present the
analysis of the computational modelling of drag force exerted by the
surrounding medium on the linear motion. However, the horizontal and vertical
components of differential equations of motion were derived and characterized
from the solutions governed by Newton’s 2nd law of motion. The
baseball features were presented as the projectile (object) in this work.
In addition, the numerical
computational results were received from FreeMat. The results were discussed
and compared with those from the vacuum. Moreover, the displacements,
velocities, range, and trajectories of the projectile were all discussed and a
conclusion was made.