Math 105--Calculus I: Project 1, Spring 1997

Not really a drag...

by Gavin LaRose (glarose@umich.edu), Nebraska Wesleyan University, January 1997

The Independent Mathematical Contractors (, Inc.) company, after a year of successful operation, has just hired you in an expansion of its base of mathematical consultants to meet its burgeoning list of contracts. The latest contract received is from the Lonlinc (Skanabra) CPE (Council on the Protection of the Environment), and regards the site of the old Lonlinc Paint company, under investigation prior to its proposed sale to the world-wide MPC, Inc. conglomerate.

DVI file of project
PostScript version of project

The letter...

Rocket Tech Division

24 January 1997

Independent Mathematical Contractors, Inc.
Suite 2, Strawmarket Business Plaza
Lonlinc, SK 04685

Dear IMC:

As part of the Rocket Tech Division's growing rôle in the progress of the space program, including the development of the space station Omfreed, we are currently investigating different methods of returning objects to Earth from orbit. One such method is, of course, simply to install a heat shield on the object and allow it to fall from orbit to an essentially soft landing on Earth. It is with aspects of this that we are now concerned, and have---after a number of previous, successful contracts---therefore commissioned your aid in its analysis.

Data culled from earlier work by the NSA has shown that the Drag coefficient, C_D, on an object such as we might be returning to Earth varies with a quantity known as the Reynolds number, R, as shown in the figure to the right. The Reynolds number is defined to be R = r v d / m, where r is the density of air, v the velocity of the object, d a measure of its size, and m the viscosity of air. We assume that r, d, and m are constants. It has been experimentally determined that C_D is given by C_D = (2 F_D) / r v² A, where F_D is the drag force on the object and A is a measure of the cross-sectional area of the object.

We have contracted with you first to determine from the experimental data functions to model C_D and thus the drag force as functions of R. Then, based on these functions, we need an expression to give the drag force as a function of the velocity of the object. It is often reported that the drag force, depending on the velocity of the object, is either proportional to v or to v²---so we would like an estimate based on your results as to the validity of these approximations and whether they are likely to be applicable to our case.

To assist you in this project, we have arranged for you to be able to contact a local expert in many fields, Dr. Gavin LaRose, with any technical questions you might have. You must in any event contact him with a report of at least preliminary work by the 31st of January and again by or on the 6th of February. Your final 3--5 page typewritten report [1] is due on the 10th of February.

Sincerely,
Lieutenant General Rick N. Backer
Commander, Rocket Tech Division

Back to Calc Projects Page

last modified on 4 Jan 1997