In: Physics
Assume the density of air is ρ = 1.21 kg/m3. A 75-kg skydiver descending head first without parachute will have an area approximately A = 0.18 m2 and a drag coefficient of approximately C=0.70. (a) What would be the predicted terminal velocity of this person if falling from very high altitude (high enough to generate terminal velocity). (b) how many meters above the ground the airplane must fly in order for this person to generate that terminal velocity at the height of 500 meters above the ground?
(a)
At terminal velocity, the drag force on the skydiver must be equal to the force of gravity the person’s weight). Using the expression for the drag force, we can write
(b) The distance from the ground at which the skydiver jumps out of the airplane can be found using the kinematic equation.
Hence, the airplane must fly at a height of from the ground in order for the person to generate that terminal velocity.