How does friction relate to skydiving?

Answer 1

• The more friction you have the more grip your parachute has in the air. This is most apparent in the type of fabric used in the construction of parachutes. There are 2 basic types - F111 (which is porous) and Zero Porosity (which is a lacquered material). Zero Porosity or ZP type parachutes tend to fly faster through the air.
• In swooping competition parachutes, the thinner the suspension lines, the faster you can fly also. This has is directly related to friction, drag and overall weight.
• Parachuting discusses an open parachute. Skydiving is the element where you are free falling with a packed parachute on your back. Most skydivers wear a full-body jumpsuit. The rougher the material, the slower you fall. Often in the case of larger heavier skydivers, their suits are made of cordura to slow them down. Ripstop nylon is used for lighter weight skydivers.

Answer 2

I'm not sure what the question actually refers to. An extreme example of friction would be falling into someone else's inflated canopy whilst still in free fall (not recommended; it would be akin to hitting a hard object as an inflated canopy is surprisingly rigid). I knew someone who had half his face ripped off by such a collision.

Friction in 'normal' freefall (at altitudes of <15,000 ft), which can be up to 526.93 KPH (327.42 MPH) limits this speed. However, if the altitude is much greater, there is less friction due to the less dense atmosphere and speeds of up to 1,149KPH ((714MPH) were achieved by Colonel Joseph Kittinger in August 1960 when he jumped from an altitude of 102,800ft (31,354m).

Friction can also be an aspect when it comes to landing a canopy, especially when 'swooping' and dragging a foot in a pond. Look at YouTube and enter the words 'skydive & swooping' to see what I mean!

Answer 3

Friction is involved in al stages of skydiving. In freefall, you reach terminal velocity when the force of drag (friction) reaches the force of gravity and you stop accelerating.

The terminal velocity will vary by your weight, the type of suit you wear, the body position etc, but for face-to-earth freefall "Arch" body position it is about 120MPH, 200Kph.

You can reach speeds of over 200MPH easily.

Once the parachute is open, it is similar to a glider in descending flight and has all those characteristics as well, lift, drag, as it is flying through the air.

Answer 4

big bum