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The terminal velocity $v_t$ of a skydiver is given by the relationship $$v_t = \frac{2mg}{\sqrt{\rho AC_d}}$$ where - $m$ is the mass of the skydiver in kg - $g$ is the gravitational field strength in N kg$^{-1}$ - $C_d$ is the drag coefficient - $\rho$ is the density of air in kg m$^{-3}$ - $A$ is the area of the skydiver in m$^2$ - Scottish Highers Physics - Question 7 - 2019

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Question 7

The-terminal-velocity-$v_t$-of-a-skydiver-is-given-by-the-relationship--$$v_t-=-\frac{2mg}{\sqrt{\rho-AC_d}}$$--where----$m$-is-the-mass-of-the-skydiver-in-kg---$g$-is-the-gravitational-field-strength-in-N-kg$^{-1}$---$C_d$-is-the-drag-coefficient---$\rho$-is-the-density-of-air-in-kg-m$^{-3}$---$A$-is-the-area-of-the-skydiver-in-m$^2$-Scottish Highers Physics-Question 7-2019.png

The terminal velocity $v_t$ of a skydiver is given by the relationship $$v_t = \frac{2mg}{\sqrt{\rho AC_d}}$$ where - $m$ is the mass of the skydiver in kg - $g$ ... show full transcript

Worked Solution & Example Answer:The terminal velocity $v_t$ of a skydiver is given by the relationship $$v_t = \frac{2mg}{\sqrt{\rho AC_d}}$$ where - $m$ is the mass of the skydiver in kg - $g$ is the gravitational field strength in N kg$^{-1}$ - $C_d$ is the drag coefficient - $\rho$ is the density of air in kg m$^{-3}$ - $A$ is the area of the skydiver in m$^2$ - Scottish Highers Physics - Question 7 - 2019

Step 1

Calculate the required area of the skydiver:

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Answer

To find the area AA, rearrange the terminal velocity equation:

A=2mgρCdvt2A = \frac{2mg}{\rho C_d v_t^2}

Substituting the values:

  • m=95m = 95 kg
  • g=9.8g = 9.8 N kg1^{-1}
  • Cd=1.0C_d = 1.0
  • ρ=1.21\rho = 1.21 kg m3^{-3}
  • vt=44v_t = 44 m s1^{-1}

This gives:

A=2×95×9.81.21×1.0×(44)2A = \frac{2 \times 95 \times 9.8}{1.21 \times 1.0 \times (44)^2}

Calculating this:

  1. Compute the numerator: 2×95×9.8=18642 \times 95 \times 9.8 = 1864.
  2. Compute the denominator: 1.21×1.0×1936=2343.521.21 \times 1.0 \times 1936 = 2343.52.
  3. Now divide: A=18642343.520.796A = \frac{1864}{2343.52} \approx 0.796 m2^2.

Therefore, the closest option is B: 0-79 m2^2.

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