Terminal Velocity Calculator (Sphere)
Terminal fall speed of a sphere in air or liquid, iterating drag coefficient.
Uses the Clift–Gauvin drag correlation, valid to Re ≈ 3×10⁵. A 10 mm steel ball falls ~40 m/s in air but only ~1.9 m/s in water.
Formula
Terminal Velocity Calculator (Sphere) is a free terminal velocity for process, mechanical and water engineers — instant, accurate and 100% client-side, with the governing formula and reference shown next to the result so the number can be defended, not just quoted.
About Terminal Velocity Calculator (Sphere)
Terminal fall speed of a sphere in air or liquid, iterating drag coefficient. The calculation implements v_t = √( 4·(ρ_p − ρ_f)·g·d / (3·C_d·ρ_f) ), C_d = f(Re) — iterated (Clift, Grace & Weber, Bubbles, Drops and Particles). Uses the Clift–Gauvin drag correlation, valid to Re ≈ 3×10⁵. A 10 mm steel ball falls ~40 m/s in air but only ~1.9 m/s in water.
How to use Terminal Velocity Calculator (Sphere)
- 1Enter Sphere diameter in mm.
- 2Enter Sphere density in kg/m³ (Steel 7,850 · hail ~900).
- 3Enter Fluid density in kg/m³.
- 4Enter Fluid viscosity in mPa·s (cP).
- 5Read Terminal velocity, Reynolds number instantly — no submit button needed.
- 6Need US units? Flip the SI/Imperial toggle and every field converts.
Why use Terminal Velocity Calculator (Sphere)?
- ✓Implements the standard formula — v_t = √( 4·(ρ_p − ρ_f)·g·d / (3·C_d·ρ_f) ), C_d = f(Re) — iterated
- ✓Reference cited on-page: Clift, Grace & Weber, Bubbles, Drops and Particles
- ✓One-click SI ⇄ Imperial toggle — values convert in place, physics stays in SI
- ✓Runs entirely in your browser — nothing uploaded, free forever
Frequently asked questions
What formula does the Terminal Velocity Calculator (Sphere) use?+
It computes v_t = √( 4·(ρ_p − ρ_f)·g·d / (3·C_d·ρ_f) ), C_d = f(Re) — iterated, per Clift, Grace & Weber, Bubbles, Drops and Particles. The formula is displayed under the result.
What should I keep in mind when using this calculator?+
Uses the Clift–Gauvin drag correlation, valid to Re ≈ 3×10⁵. A 10 mm steel ball falls ~40 m/s in air but only ~1.9 m/s in water.
Does this work for any fluid?+
Yes — density and viscosity are inputs (with common fluids suggested in the field hints), so the same physics applies to water, oils, gases and process fluids. Compute always runs in SI internally, so unit mix-ups can't corrupt the result.
Is the Terminal Velocity Calculator (Sphere) free to use?+
Yes — completely free, no sign-up, no limits. It runs client-side in your browser, so inputs stay private and results are instant even on slow connections.
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