Red Bull Stratos: A Mission to the Edge of Space. 08th Oct
Discussion
Paddy_N_Murphy said:
Guvernator said:
2) I assume he will get up to top speed really quickly but at what point will he start to slow down to terminal velocity?
da fuq?Guvernator said:
the earths normal terminal velocity
There's no such thing - the term 'terminal velocity' describes the maximum velocity a body will reach falling under gravity, and varies depending on air density, the mass of the object falling, and the object's drag coefficient. Even if you are referring to the particular case of the terminal velocity of a human body at sea level, then it can vary a lot depending on the attitude of the bodyand hence the drag generated - head down with arms at the side will fall a lot faster than in a spreadeagled position.
MartG said:
There's no such thing - the term 'terminal velocity' describes the maximum velocity a body will reach falling under gravity, and varies depending on air density, the mass of the object falling, and the object's drag coefficient.
Even if you are referring to the particular case of the terminal velocity of a human body at sea level, then it can vary a lot depending on the attitude of the bodyand hence the drag generated - head down with arms at the side will fall a lot faster than in a spreadeagled position.
Fair enough, I always assumed probably from watching too many movies that their was an average velocity that a human body would reach in atmosphere while in freefall. I do know that pulling your arms in makes you go quicker as how else would the hero catch up to the bad guy whose just jumped out of the plane with the only parachute Even if you are referring to the particular case of the terminal velocity of a human body at sea level, then it can vary a lot depending on the attitude of the bodyand hence the drag generated - head down with arms at the side will fall a lot faster than in a spreadeagled position.
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