Free fall… from SPACE!

Description: A major theme in physics is free fall motion. This lesson capitalizes on that fact, and the
“recent” free fall jump made by Felix Baumgartner from 39,045 meters. Computations to find velocity
and acceleration are made. An emphasis is placed on thinking about and logically analyzing the results.

This applies to high school physics and/or algebra.

Background: Felix Baumgartner, a Redbull athlete, recently made a free fall jump from the upper
atmosphere. While, at the time of this lesson’s writing, the details of his jump were either not entirely
available, or inconsistent across various sources, his jump does provide a prime case for analysis of free
fall motion. Additionally, the showing of a YouTube video of the jump is a great add-on to this lesson.

The following statistics are those used in the included worksheet, and can be used to develop additional
questions and discussions beyond what is included here.

Starting height: 39,045 m
Free fall duration: 4 minutes 19 seconds
Maximum absolute speed: 1,342.8 km/hr
Speed of sound (at sea level): 340.29 m/s
Total flight time: 9 minutes 9 seconds
Starting velocity: 0 m/s (although this is not true since
the balloon was actually rising when he jumped)
Acceleration due to gravity: 9.81 m/s2
Time Felix reached the speed of sound: 34 seconds

Notice that some unit conversions will be required if the data is taken as given here. Also, a discussion
about approximations or assumptions would be a good lead-in to this lesson.

The following image is of Felix just after jumping from his capsule. More images are available online.
Concepts: The following concepts apply to this lesson: free fall motion, acceleration, velocity, gravity,
air drag, model development, and potential model flaws.

Vocabulary: These words are interesting and important words or phrases found throughout this lesson.
Students may benefit from learning about these prior to the lesson, perhaps as a homework assignment.
Free fall motion – Motion of an object caused solely by the force of gravity acting upon that
object.
Acceleration – The rate at which the velocity of an object is changing.
Velocity – The speed and direction of an object, quantified as a vector.
Gravity – The phenomenon that causes bodies to attract with a force related to their relative
locations and masses.
Air drag – The force (or forces) that act upon a moving object opposite to that object’s direction
of travel. Unlike friction, air drag (or air resistance) depends upon velocity.

Take Away Message: Even something as “awesome” as Felix’s jump requires a deep understanding of
physics to properly execute and understand.

Lesson: How is free fall motion applicable to exciting activities and events, such as skydiving? This
lesson covers (or may cover with minimal addition discussion) the following Wyoming State Standards
and requires approximately 55 minutes.

SC11.2.1-SC11.2.4, part of SC11.1.14

Materials: Unless a demonstration of free fall motion is desired, this lesson requires only the attached
worksheet, pencils, and calculators.

Good resources:

http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2012/10/what-is-the-speed-of-sound/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOoHArAzdug&list=PLnuf8iyXggLF2b7bYQU5s2FqW1sLE1ywh&inde
x=2&feature=plcp

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2217412/Felix-Baumgartner-Supersonic-skydiver-hits-
mach-1-24-terrifying-plummet-Earth-128-000ft.html

About the Author: Rob Streeter is a graduate student at the University of Wyoming. He is currently
pursuing a MS of Electrical Engineering. A Wyoming native, Streeter appreciates the need for Wyoming
high school graduates to be aware of the extensive opportunities available to them. He genuinely hopes
this lesson inspires interest in engineering and the University of Wyoming. Any feedback on this lesson
would be appreciated and should be directed to Mr. Streeter (rstreete@uwyo.edu), NSF GK-12 EE-
Nanotechnology Fellow, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming.

The following pages include a suggested worksheet and a solution to that worksheet.
UW GK-12 Nanotechnology in the Classroom Name:________________________________

Student Worksheet

Felix Baumgartner recently set several world records dealing with free fall motion. What did he do and
what records did he set?

What important factors may play a role in coordinating a jump like his? Just brainstorm some answers
and then justify your choices.
Felix jumped from 39,045 meters and, over the course of the 4:19 fall, achieved a maximum speed of
1,342.8 km/hr. Assuming he started from rest, and that the acceleration of gravity is about 9.81 m/s 2 at
the equator and sea-level, how long did it take him to reach his max speed (neglect air drag and
maneuvering contributions)?

Issues like air drag and maneuvering are major factors for a situation like this. How do you think these
factors affect the time required to reach the max speed?
If Felix reached the speed of sound (340.29 m/s at sea-level) about 34 seconds into the jump, how fast
was he accelerating?

Does this coincide with the assumption we made in the previous question (that the acceleration from
gravity is 9.81 m/s2)?
UW GK-12 Nanotechnology in the Classroom Name:________________________________

Student Worksheet

Felix Baumgartner recently set several world records dealing with free fall motion. What did he do and
what records did he set?

Highest free fall jump

Fastest vertical speed achieved without a vehicle

Longest duration free fall jump

What important factors may play a role in coordinating a jump like his? Just brainstorm some answers
and then justify your choices.

Answers may include, but are certainly not limited to: weather, Felix’s health, equipment functionality,
safety, physics, math, backup options, etc.
Felix jumped from 39,045 meters and, over the course of the 4:19 fall, achieved a maximum speed of
1,342.8 km/hr. Assuming he started from rest, and that the acceleration of gravity is about 9.81 m/s2 at
the equator and sea-level, how long did it take him to reach his max speed (neglect air drag and
maneuvering contributions)?

Using the equation vf = vi + a * t, and subbing in for vf, vi, and a, the following equation can be written:

1342.8 [km/hr] = 0 [m/s] + 9.81 [m/s2] * t [s] It is immediately clear that a unit conversion must be
made. Converting 1,342.8 [km/hr] to [m/s] gives a vf value of 373 [m/s]. Now, using algebra, the result
can be rearranged to give:

t = 373 [m/s] / 9.81 [m/s2] Thus, the final result is 38.0224 [s]

Issues like air drag and maneuvering are major factors for a situation like this. How do you think these
factors affect the time required to reach the max speed?

These factors would increase the time required to reach the max speed.
If Felix reached the speed of sound (340.29 m/s at sea-level) about 34 seconds into the jump, how fast
was he accelerating?

Using the equation vf = vi + a * t again, but this time subbing in for vf, vi, and t, the following equation
can be written:

340.29 [m/s] = 0 [m/s] + a [m/s2] * 34 [s] It easily follows that, with the assumptions a) that that
speed of sound is valid at altitude (which it isn’t) and
that b) he accelerated at a constant rate (which he didn’t), he accelerated at about 10.0085 [m/s2]

Does this coincide with the assumption we made in the previous question (that the acceleration from
gravity is 9.81 m/s2)?

Clearly, no. While the result is relatively close, it is not the same and thus some of the assumptions
made (as mentioned in the previous question) must be flawed. Researching the local speed of sound
sheds some light on how variable the actual speed of sound is.