Question

A 75 kg skydiver can be modeled as a rectangular "box" with dimensions 20 cm * 40 cm * 180 cm. what is his terminal speed if he falls feet first? use 0.8 for the drag coefficient.

Answer 1

Terminal speed=136.7 m/s

the formula for the terminal speed is given by :

V= $\sqrt{\frac{2 mg}{\rho a C}}$

m= mass=75 kg

a= area=0.2 x 0.4=0.08 m²

ρ= density of air=1.23 kg/m³

C= drag constant =0.8

so V= $\sqrt{\frac{2 *75*9.8}{1.23*0.08*0.8}}$

v= 136.7 m/s