Parachuting is Cool!

Links to consider

Parachute Basics
Air Resistance (NASA)
Parachute History (you may want to check out Historical Review)


EACH GROUP WILL NEED TO TURN IN A SET OF CALCULATIONS BASED ON THE INFORMATION BELOW.

Class Prep:  Measure the distance from the landing rail to the ground below

_____m

If we drop an object from the landing rail to the ground (assume no friction), we know the following:

v(i)=____m/s
a=____ m/s/s
d=____ m

What will be the time it takes for the object to land?


You will need to complete the Action Figure parachute jump three times.


1.  Measure the time it takes to drop the Barbie to the ground three times, using a stopwatch. Calculate the average time ______s

2. Using a force probe that is connected to a Logger pro, measure the Force weight of the Action Figure and chute.

3. Using a(g) = 9.8 m/s/s, determine the mass of Barbie/chute's   ____ kg.

4.  Now you have a slightly different system than the one we first considered.  We know the distance to the ground d=___ m, the initial velocity v(i)=____m/s, and the time(avg) of the three trials _____s

5.  Using the data in 4., calculate the net acceleration of your parachute.

6.  Draw a force diagram of the doll, the net force, the force weight, and the force up.

7.  Determine F(up).

**you may wish to have the Action Figure land on a force plate**



Take a picture of the doll, in its harness, AND a picture of the parachute and harness system.  Email it to me, along with a picture or shared document of your calculations.


Reflection (to be done on Monday)