SUMMARY
The force exerted on a skydiver during deceleration from terminal velocity to a lower speed can be calculated using the values provided in the discussion. The skydiver decelerates from 120 mph (176 ft/sec) to 30 mph (44 ft/sec) over one second, resulting in a deceleration of 132 ft/sec², equivalent to approximately 4 g's. This calculation assumes contact deceleration, which equipment manufacturers aim to optimize. Additionally, the discussion highlights the importance of managing jerk to minimize the initial deceleration impact.
PREREQUISITES
- Understanding of basic physics concepts such as force and acceleration
- Familiarity with units of measurement, specifically feet per second (ft/sec)
- Knowledge of gravitational acceleration (g's) and its implications in physics
- Awareness of skydiving dynamics and equipment design considerations
NEXT STEPS
- Research the physics of deceleration and forces in free fall
- Explore the effects of jerk on human tolerance during rapid deceleration
- Study equipment design principles for skydiving to enhance safety
- Learn about terminal velocity calculations and their applications in various scenarios
USEFUL FOR
Aerospace engineers, skydiving instructors, physics students, and safety equipment designers will benefit from reading this discussion.