easy physics question.

Actually Bruce was close, but drag is a function of velocity squared.

D= Cd*density*V^2*size*1/2, and of course temperature affects density, and dragincrease by the square of the velocity. Cd, the coefficient of drag varies depending on the shape, the reason skydivers ball up or spread eagle.
 
In the twelve years since I started skydiving I have never been advised to 'ball up' during a jump.

Except of course in the testicular sense.
 
Dick Campbell said:
Actually Bruce was close, but drag is a function of velocity squared.

D= Cd*density*V^2*size*1/2, and of course temperature affects density, and dragincrease by the square of the velocity. Cd, the coefficient of drag varies depending on the shape, the reason skydivers ball up or spread eagle.
Click to expand...

My bad. Force of drag is indeed a function of velocity squared. It's the power to overcome the drag that's a function of velocity cubed. I was thinking in terms of cars; my mind is mysterious, even to me.
 
OK, Max I believe you call it "tracking"? Minimizing your area to increase your speed. Of course, if your harness is not snug, you could "ball up" :)
 
Tracking is technique for controlling the horizontal component of your movement (lateral translations as distinct from a 'straight down' free fall).

Yeah, an improperly set harness is a whole lot of no fun when you pull, that's for sure.
 
Don't forget to use a non-Newtonian model, you must also calculate the negligible force of gravity from the jumper's mass. You would have to be pretty heavy to make a difference.
 
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