Calculating Skydiver Terminal Speed: A Drag Problem Solved

  • Thread starter Thread starter vau
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Drag
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the terminal speed of a 75.0 kg skydiver modeled as a rectangular box with dimensions 24.0 cm x 44.0 cm x 184 cm. The terminal speed is reached when the drag force equals the weight of the skydiver, represented by the equation drag = mg, where m is mass and g is gravitational acceleration (9.8 m/s²). The drag force is expressed as drag = KV², with K defined as K = (1/2)ρSC_D, where ρ is air density, S is the cross-sectional area, and C_D is the drag coefficient, which must be determined experimentally.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Newton's laws of motion
  • Familiarity with drag force equations
  • Knowledge of basic fluid dynamics concepts
  • Ability to calculate cross-sectional areas
NEXT STEPS
  • Research how to experimentally determine the drag coefficient (C_D) for various shapes
  • Learn about the effects of air density (ρ) on terminal velocity calculations
  • Explore advanced fluid dynamics principles related to terminal velocity
  • Investigate the impact of body orientation on drag and terminal speed
USEFUL FOR

Physics students, aerospace engineers, and anyone interested in understanding the dynamics of free fall and terminal velocity in skydiving scenarios.

vau
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
A 75.0 kg skydiver can be modeled as a rectangular "box" with dimensions 24.0 cm\times 44.0 cm\times 184 cm.
What is his terminal speed if he falls feet first?

I know that drag = mg when terminal speed is reached. so drag is 75*9.8

and there's a formula drag = KV^2 where K is drag coeff and V is velocity, but I don't know K.

a little help?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Okay, so you summed the forces when they were in equilibrium and found the force of drag. You don't know K, does that mean you are supposed to derive it? If so, my hint is that you were given two different quantities in your problem, and you already used one... so K must have something to do with the other.
 
[tex]K = \frac{1}{2} \rho S C_D[/tex]
Where
[tex]\rho[/tex] is air density.
S is the cross section area. In your case 24cm x 44cm.
[tex]C_D[/tex] is the drag coefficient, normally determined experimentally. If you don´t have it´s value I don´t see how you could solve the problem.
 

Similar threads

Replies
13
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
2K
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
5K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
1K
Replies
2
Views
4K
Replies
13
Views
25K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
6K