Resistance Force Formula:
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The resistance force on a spherical surface refers to the drag force experienced by a sphere moving through a fluid. This force is equal to the external load applied at equilibrium and is governed by Stokes' law for low Reynolds number flows.
The calculator uses the resistance force formula:
Where:
Explanation: This formula calculates the drag force on a sphere in a viscous fluid, valid for low Reynolds number flows where Stokes' law applies.
Details: Calculating resistance force is crucial for understanding fluid dynamics around spherical objects, designing filtration systems, analyzing particle sedimentation, and studying colloidal suspensions.
Tips: Enter dynamic viscosity in Pa·s, mean velocity in m/s, and diameter in meters. All values must be positive numbers greater than zero.
Q1: What is the range of validity for this formula?
A: This formula is valid for low Reynolds numbers (Re < 0.1) where Stokes' law applies, typically for small particles in viscous fluids.
Q2: How does temperature affect the resistance force?
A: Temperature affects dynamic viscosity (μ), which decreases with increasing temperature for liquids but increases for gases.
Q3: Can this formula be used for non-spherical objects?
A: No, this specific formula is derived for perfect spheres. Different shapes require different drag coefficient formulations.
Q4: What are typical applications of this calculation?
A: Applications include particle sedimentation analysis, viscosity measurements, aerosol science, and microfluidic device design.
Q5: How accurate is this formula in real-world applications?
A: The formula provides excellent accuracy for small, smooth spheres in Newtonian fluids at low Reynolds numbers, but deviations occur for rough surfaces or non-Newtonian fluids.