211k views
1 vote
What is the terminal speed of a skydiver?

1) 120 km/h
2) 160 km/h
3) 200 km/h
4) 240 km/h

User Arr Raj
by
8.3k points

1 Answer

3 votes

Final answer:

The terminal velocity of a skydiver in a spread-eagle position is approximately 200 km/h, which is the closest value from the given options. In a headfirst position, this velocity can be as high as about 350 km/h.

Step-by-step explanation:

The terminal velocity of a skydiver depends on their mass, the position they hold during freefall, and their frontal area. For a skydiver falling in a pike (head first) position, the terminal velocity is quite high; for a person with a mass of 75 kg, this velocity can be about 350 km/h. However, if they adopt a spread-eagle position, the terminal velocity may decrease to about 200 km/h due to the increase in frontal area, which increases air resistance.

Since none of the options provided exactly match 200 km/h or 350 km/h, the most accurate answer from the selections is 200 km/h for a skydiver in a spread-eagle position. For rigorous calculations, assumptions about the skydiver's frontal area would be necessary, along with the application of appropriate physics formulas to determine the exact value of terminal velocity.

User Pktangyue
by
7.7k points