Yes, it is possible to estimate the velocity of a falling object experiencing drag without having a motion or velocity sensor. One common method is to use a high-speed camera to capture the motion of the object and analyze the recorded video footage.
Here's a general procedure you can follow:
Set up a high-speed camera to record the motion of the falling object. Make sure the camera is positioned in such a way that it captures the entire trajectory of the object.
Start recording just before releasing the object from a known height.
After recording, transfer the video footage to a computer for analysis.
Choose a reference point in the video footage, such as the starting point or a specific frame where the object is easily identifiable.
Measure the distance traveled by the object in a known time interval. You can use frame-by-frame analysis or utilize tracking software to track the object's position over time.
Divide the measured distance by the known time interval to obtain an estimate of the object's average velocity during that time period.
It's important to note that this method provides an average velocity over a specific time interval and may not account for variations in velocity during the entire motion. The accuracy of the velocity estimation can also be affected by factors such as camera frame rate, object visibility, and the presence of other objects or obstructions in the scene.
For more precise measurements, specialized equipment like motion sensors or anemometers could be used, but they are not necessary to obtain a rough estimate of the object's velocity in this context.