A 580-g squirrel with a surface area of 950 cm2 falls from a 4.8-m tree to the g

Question

A 580-g squirrel with a surface area of 950 cm2 falls from a 4.8-m tree to the ground. Estimate its terminal velocity. (Use the drag coefficient for a horizontal skydiver. Assume that the cross-sectional area of the squirrel can be approximated as a rectangle of width 11.6 cm and length 23.2 cm. Note, the squirrel may not reach terminal velocity by the time it hits the ground. Give the squirrel's terminal velocity, not it's velocity as it hits the ground.) m/s What will be the velocity of a 58.0-kg person hitting the ground, assuming no drag contribution in such a short distance? m/s

Explanation / Answer

terminal velocity is Vt = sqrt(2*m*g/(C*rho*A))

m = 560 g = 0.56 Kg

g is the accelaration due to gravity

C is the drag coefficient = 1

rho is the density of air = 1.21 kg/m^3

A = 950 cm^2 = 950*10^-4 m^2

then Vt = sqrt(2*m*g/(C*rho*A)) = sqrt(2*580*10^-4*9.8/(1*1.21*950*10^-4)) = 3.14 m/sec

assuming no drag contribution

v = sqrt(2*g*h) = sqrt(2*9.8*4.8) = 9.7 m/sec

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