George+A


 * THE STUDY OF FLUID DYNAMICS IN DIFFERENT OBJECTS **

George A.

2011-2012

The purpose of this study was to find the most aerodynamic shape when traveling through water. The weight of the Silly Putty released into the water was directly affected by the forces of drag and friction. An object weighing either 15.5g or 5.5g was released into water of varying temperatures between 13o C and 17o C and the descent was timed, averaged, and recorded. The airfoil proved to be the most aerodynamic shape as it descended faster than all other shapes regardless of the conditions while the flat object with the largest surface area proved to be the slowest. While cold water has been found to be denser because the molecules are closer together, this does not increase the speed in which an object travels through it. The results were consistent enough to prove whether the water temperature affects the rate at which an object travels through it.
 * ABSTRACT **

To summarize the results, the airfoil proved to be the fastest in all temperatures and weights whereas the flat object was the slowest. The results are important because it gives automobiles and planes the shapes that should be used in their design in order to achieve the most affective aerodynamic shape. The hypothesis was correct in stating that the airfoil would be the fastest object and the flat object would be the slowest in all conditions; however, it was incorrect when it was guessed that the cooler the water, the faster the object would descend. Some follow up experiments could be conducted using different materials, textures, various shapes for the object, and more extreme temperatures.
 * CONCLUSION **

