The drag coefficient of a person on a water slide is not definitively established due to the variability in body shapes and positions. It is suggested that a range of values be considered, potentially similar to those for full vertical or horizontal bodies. Estimating terminal velocity by analyzing videos of individuals on water slides is a practical approach to gather data. Contacting engineers who design water slides may provide more precise information, although responses can be limited.
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Depending on what you want the number for, I'd just start by estimating the terminal velocity of people on water slides similar to what you have in mind. Just watch a few videos an estimate their velocity versus time as they start down the slide, and then reach terminal velocity before the bottom section...Uricucu said:Does anyone know what drag coefficient has a person in a water slide?
Oh, I like that. Much more practical and helpful than my reply.berkeman said:Just watch a few videos an estimate their velocity versus time as they start down the slide, and then reach terminal velocity before the bottom section...
I'd assume zero. It's probably not far from true and is the safest value you can assume.Uricucu said:Hi! Does anyone know what drag coefficient has a person in a water slide? I've only found for full vertical/horizontal body, but not for a person in a water slide, considering it has a slope. Related to that, the cross area of a person can be calculated?
anorlunda said:That is a difficult question. People come in all shapes and sizes. They can sit or bend their bodies in many ways. I think the best you can hope for is a range of values and the extremes of the range may be the same as the full vertical/horizontal body that you already found.
I would try to contact the engineers who designed existing water slides, rather than asking general questions on the Internet.
berkeman said:Depending on what you want the number for, I'd just start by estimating the terminal velocity of people on water slides similar to what you have in mind. Just watch a few videos an estimate their velocity versus time as they start down the slide, and then reach terminal velocity before the bottom section...