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Terminal velocity is determined not by mass (weight) but by air resistance. When the gravitational force is matched by the drag force (air resistance), acceleration becomes zero. If a skydiver did two dives, one with a backpack filled with feathers and one with the same backpack filled with lead, the terminal velocities of each dive would be the same, as the air resistance induced by the diver did not change from dive to dive. Weight alone does not influence terminal velocity. However, it is likely that a heavy person will also have a large projected area (surface area), increasing the drag coefficient, and effectively lowering the terminal velocity.
A heavy person is therefore likely to have a slower terminal velocity than a light person, assuming heavy people are also large and bulky.
The previous answer is completely wrong.
The differential equation describing sky divers is
dv/dt=g-k/m*v
where x denotes the distance fallen, and k describes the gas viscosity and interaction with the diver. This equation is an approximation, but one that is very valid in the case.
The solution to the equation is
v=(g m)/k + exp(-((k t)/m)) C[1]
where C[1] is a constant term determined by initial conditions. The terminal velocity is a velocity determined by long term behavior. For large t, the exp decay term goes to zero, so
v terminal = (g m)/k
Thus, it depends on m.
I agree. As a general rule, light jumpers need to add weight, (increase Mass) to fall at a similar rate to average sized jumpers. A Tandem pair require a drogue parachute in the freefall phase to increase drag and reduce velocity to compensate for the extra mass of the tandem passenger. If you threw a cat out of a plane and jumped out soon after, you would barely have time to wave as you flew past. The cat might even survive this cruel act. I once filmed a tandem where the TM was 115kg and the passenger was 105kg. I used my Scuba weight belt with about 5kgs of weight to keep up. The company eventually saw the light and restricted him to passengers, 70kgs or less.
What else can I help you with?
When skydivers jump out of a plane they move down through the air faster and faster as they fall. Once they reach a speed of about 200 kilometres per hour they no longer speed up. Explain why.?
As a skydiver falls, they accelerate due to the force of gravity. However, they eventually reach their terminal velocity when the upward force of air resistance balances the downward force of gravity. At terminal velocity, the forces are balanced and the skydiver no longer accelerates.
Why does a heavy sky diver have a terminal speed greater than a light sky diver?
Terminal velocity is when air drag stops you from going any faster when falling. A heavier person will fall with greater force than the light sky diver falls at. So the heavier skydiver will require more force from air in order to keep him/her at terminal velocity
Why won't a skydiver's speed continue to increase until his or her parachute opens?
Once a skydiver jumps off the plane, they will begin picking up speed. However, as the speed of the skydiver increases, the amount of air resistance acting upon them will also increase. The skydiver will continue to accelerate while his or her weight is greater than the air resistance. When the force of the air resistance becomes equal to the weight of the skydiver, the skydiver will stop accelerating and will continue falling at a constant speed, this is known as the terminal velocity. While travelling at terminal velocity, the skydiver will be able to adjust his or her body position in a way that will increase or decrease the air resistance and allow the diver to alter their speed. Releasing his or her parachute will drastically increase the amount of air resistance and therefore slow their descent significantly.
How does the weight of an object relate to how fast it falls with a parachute?
The weight of an object affects how quickly it can reach its terminal velocity when falling with a parachute. Heavier objects typically reach terminal velocity faster than lighter objects due to the greater force of gravity acting on them. However, once both objects reach terminal velocity, they will fall at the same constant speed regardless of their weight.
Is terminal velocity a type of friction?
No. Terminal velocity is a particular kind of velocity and friction is a particular kind of force. The terminal velocity of a falling object is the maximum velocity it can have because air resistance prevents it from going any faster. And air resistance is a type of friction. So terminal velocity is due to a type of friction.
What happens before terminal velocity takes place?
Before terminal velocity is reached, an object will be accelerating due to the force of gravity. As the object accelerates, air resistance (drag) will increase, which will gradually counteract the force of gravity until the two forces are equal and the object reaches terminal velocity.
What is the definition for terminal velocity?
As an object falls faster and faster it is slowed by friction with the air as it tries to push through. When this wind from falling is so strong that it balances gravity, so the object does not fall any faster, that it is the terminal velocity for that object.
Why is it that a cat falls from a 50 storie building will hit a safety net below no faster than it fell from a 20th story?
It reaches terminal velocity. The speed is limited by the air resistance of the object. In most cases, terminal velocity is reached in a few seconds.
How Can A Skydiver Increase his or her terminal velocity?
The less air resistance the faster he can go. By pointing his face or feet down and holding his arms close to his body he minimizes air resistance and falls faster. By positioning his body parallel to the ground and spreading out his limbs he maximizes air resistance and will fall slower. The type of clothing worn also has an effect. A loose fitting fabric jumpsuit will tend to reduce terminal velocity and a tight fitting nylon jumpsuit will increase it. Some jumpers wear lead weight to adjust their fallrate. This is usually so slim light jumpers can match their fallrate with heavier jumpers.
What factors affect terminal velocity in a fluid?
The factors that affect terminal velocity in a fluid include the weight and size of the object, the density and viscosity of the fluid, and the shape of the object. Objects with a larger surface area or lower weight will reach terminal velocity faster, while denser fluids or more streamlined objects will increase terminal velocity.
Which is greater - the terminal velocity of a small blood droplet or the terminal velocity of a large blood droplet?
The terminal velocity of a large blood droplet is greater than the terminal velocity of a small blood droplet. This is because larger droplets have more mass, which increases their gravitational force and air resistance, allowing them to fall faster until they reach a balanced terminal velocity.
What is the terminal velocity of a human?
Roughly 120 mph flat and stable. Head-down is much faster, but is not stable (it takes active control). Terminal velocity is when the gravity force upon an object is equal to that of the wind resistance.
