The maximum speed due to gravity?

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    Gravity Maximum Speed
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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the concept of terminal velocity in parachuting, specifically the balance between gravitational force and air resistance. It is established that a parachutist experiences constant acceleration due to gravity until air resistance increases to the point where it balances gravitational force, resulting in a net force of zero. This phenomenon is known as terminal velocity, with typical maximum speeds ranging from 200 to 300 km/h. The user fawk3s seeks to understand the conditions under which this speed barrier can be achieved.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of gravitational force and acceleration
  • Basic knowledge of air resistance and its effects on falling objects
  • Familiarity with the concept of terminal velocity
  • Awareness of the factors affecting parachuting dynamics
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the physics of terminal velocity and its calculation
  • Explore the effects of body shape and mass on terminal velocity
  • Study the role of parachute design in achieving or altering terminal velocity
  • Investigate real-world examples of terminal velocity in various sports
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Aerospace engineers, physics students, parachuting enthusiasts, and anyone interested in the dynamics of free fall and air resistance.

fawk3s
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Say you go parachuting. And you jump, without opening the parachute...
You get a constant acceleration due to gravity, so your speed builds pretty high. And as long as you keep falling without any friction, your speed keeps building.
But let's now take air resistance into consideration. Does this build a barrier for the speedbuild?
I mean, would there be a situation where the force of gravity and the force of friction balance each other, where the net force of the 2 would become 0?
(Plus ofcourse, there is upthrust aswell.)

Im not exactly looking for any fancy equation, but I don't mind them. I am more interested in if this situation exists, can it be created by a parachuter and how much would be the speed barrier for an average mass, and an average bodyshape person.

Thanks in advance,
fawk3s
 
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Yeah this velocity is called 'terminal velocity.'
 

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