---
title: "A small sphere of mass \\(m\\) is released from rest in a fluid that exerts an upward drag force of magnitude \\(F_D = b v^2\\), where \\(b\\) is a positive constant and \\(v\\) is the downward speed of the sphere. Which of the following graphs best represents the sphere’s downward acceleration \\(a\\) as a function of its downward speed \\(v\\) from release until it reaches terminal velocity \\(v_T\\)?"
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url: "https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/120619/"
date_modified: "2026-08-23T04:42:01+00:00"
---

# A small sphere of mass \(m\) is released from rest in a fluid that exerts an upward drag force of magnitude \(F_D = b v^2\), where \(b\) is a positive constant and \(v\) is the downward speed of the sphere. Which of the following graphs best represents the sphere’s downward acceleration \(a\) as a function of its downward speed \(v\) from release until it reaches terminal velocity \(v_T\)?

A small sphere of mass \(m\) is released from rest in a fluid that exerts an upward drag force of magnitude \(F_D = b v^2\), where \(b\) is a positive constant and \(v\) is the downward speed of the sphere. Which of the following graphs best represents the sphere's downward acceleration \(a\) as a function of its downward speed \(v\) from release until it reaches terminal velocity \(v_T\)?

- **A.** Graph A
- **B.** Graph B
- **C.** Graph C
- **D.** Graph D

*The answer key and step-by-step explanation are available to logged-in users at https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/120619/*