The Terminal Velocity and Oil Viscosity measurement using Tracker motion analysis
Primaswari Eka Anggraini, Aidha Ratna Fajarini Sidik, Sarah Puspitasari, Bebeh Wahid Nuryadin*

Department of Physics, UIN Sunan Djati Bandung

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to measure the viscosity of the fluid (oil) using the concept of terminal velocity and tracker motion software. Experiments carried out by dropping the ball (glass and iron) into the fluid, which was observed using a digital camera on a Smartphone. Then, video observation Tracker 5.1.1 is processed using software to position and velocity data obtained with respect to time. The observations show that the position curve with respect to the time for the ball to fall on the fluid has a non-quadratic pattern, even almost linear. In addition, the speed analysis shows that the motion of the ball will reach the speed of the ball terminal, which is influenced by the size and mass of the different ball. The effect of the size and mass of the ball is related to the total force involved, namely the gravity, buoyancy and fluid friction. This research is expected to increase students understanding of the concepts of mechanics and fluid characteristics in school or university laboratories.

Keywords: Viscosity measurement, terminal velocity, concept of force, Tracker 5.1.1 software

Topic: Physics