Q. A steel ball is dropped in oil then,

A) the ball attains constant velocity after some time
B) the ball stops
C) the speed of ball will keep on increasing
D) None of the above
Explanation

(a) According to Stokes, when a spherical body falls through a viscous fluid, it experiences a viscous force. The magnitude of the viscous force increases with the increases in velocity of the body falling under the action of its weight. As a result, the viscous force soon balance the driving force (weight of the body) and the body starts moving with constant velocity, known as its terminal velocity.

Dr. Abubacker
Reviewed by Dr. Abubacker

Physics Educator & NEET/JEE Specialist

Ph.D. in Physics with 19+ years of teaching experience.