Initial Velocity Effect on Acceleration Fall of a Spherical Particle through Still Fluid

Abstract

A spherical particle's acceleration fall through still fluid was investigated analytically and experimentally using the Basset-Boussinesq-Oseen equation. The relationship between drag coefficient and Reynolds number was studied, and various parameters in the drag coefficient equation were obtained with respect to the small, medium, and large Reynolds number zones. Next, some equations were used to derive the finite fall time and distance equations in terms of certain assumptions. A simple experiment was conducted to measure the fall time and distance for a spherical particle falling through still water. Sets of experimental data were used to validate the relationship between fall velocity, time, and distance. Finally, the initial velocity effect on the total fall time and distance was discussed with different terminal Reynolds numbers, and it was determined that the initial velocity plays a more important role in the falling motion for small terminal Reynolds numbers than for large terminal Reynolds number scenarios.