The High of Terminal Velocity
March 12th, 2010
Terminal velocity is achieved about 12 seconds from the start of a free fall. It is when the body falls at a constant speed and the skydiver’s speed stops accelerating. This happens when the force of gravity pushing a skydiver downwards is equal to the force of air pushing him upwards. The actual terminal velocity speed in skydiving varies depending on his weight.
The lighter an object is the slower the decent. On average it is about 120 miles per hour or 200 kilometers an hour. A skydiver can change his speed during terminal velocity by changing the position of his body. If he wants to go faster he can arch his body forward. This lowers wind resistance and the skydiver lunges downward till he shifts again to a more horizontal position.
Entry Filed under: Recreation and Sports