Why does a skydiver's terminal velocity change with body position?

Changing body position changes cross-sectional area and drag coefficient — a diving (head-down) position reduces drag and increases terminal velocity, while a spread-out position increases drag and slows descent.

Terminal Velocity Calculator

Calculate the terminal velocity of a falling object — the constant speed reached when gravitational force is balanced by air resistance drag.

Inputs

Results

Terminal Velocity: 42.76 m/s

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Formula

v = √(2mg / (ρ·A·Cd))

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Fluid and Motion Physics: Buoyancy, Terminal Velocity, and Reynolds Number

Buoyancy force, terminal velocity, escape velocity, and Reynolds number — four calculations describing how objects move through fluids and gravity fields.

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