Modelagem científica : influência da resistência do ar na queda de um corpo plano

Abstract

This paper presents the development of two theoretical models for the fall of three plates with equal cross-sectional areas, made of the same material but with different masses, taking into account air resistance. With the perspective of the fundamental role of scientific modeling in the teaching of Physics, this work provides a methodological approach that promotes conceptual understanding, problem-solving, and knowledge construction. Therefore, the objective of this work is to present, analyze, and compare the theoretical models that attempt to describe this phenomenon, addressing the influence of air drag force (or resistance), whether it is viscous drag or inertial drag. In the first model, the viscous drag force is proportional to the body's falling velocity, while the second model considers the inertial drag force to be proportional to the square of the velocity. The model is constructed using Mario Bunge's scientific modeling as a reference. Subsequently, the developed models are empirically tested; the experiment's analysis is performed using the video analysis program Tracker. The motion of the fall of three square-shaped cardboard plates, with the same area but different thicknesses and masses, was studied, and experimental data on position and falling time were obtained. By comparing the experimental data with the models, it was observed that both the inertial drag model and the viscous drag model effectively explain the behavior of the experimental data, with a slight advantage for the inertial drag model, particularly in the final seconds of the motion.