Long description: Fig34P

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A graph comparing the variation of vertical velocity, \(v_t\), over time, \(t/\tau\), for an object subject to linear and quadratic air resistance.

Alt text: A graph comparing the variation of vertical velocity, \(v_t\), over time, \(t/\tau\), for an object subject to linear and quadratic air resistance.

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  • The graph displays the vertical velocity, \(v_t\), on the vertical axis and the dimensionless time, \(t/\tau\), on the horizontal axis.
  • Two curves are plotted: one labeled "quadratic" and one labeled "linear."
  • Both curves start at the origin (zero velocity at zero time).
  • The dashed curve, representing "quadratic" resistance, increases more steeply initially and appears to approach a limiting value of approximately \(1.0\) more slowly than the other curve.
  • The solid curve, representing "linear" resistance, also increases over time, approaching a limiting value that appears slightly lower than the quadratic case's apparent asymptote.
  • At \(t/\tau = 5\), both curves are relatively close to each other, with the quadratic resistance curve showing a slightly higher velocity.

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