TERMINAL VELOCITY OF A PARACHUTE

Aim:
To determine the terminal velocity of a parachute is dependent on the diameter of the
parachute and the load it carries.
Hypothesis:
1. Objects of greater mass will approach terminal velocity quicker.
2. Objects of greater surface area will approach terminal velocity quicker.
Introduction:
When a body is in motion, there are always several drag forces that act in oppose to its
movement. During vertical motion of a body, there are 2 primary forces acting in oppose to
it: The objects upthrust, and the air resistive force. Terminal velocity is the maximum velocity
an object can undergo during a vertical displacement. It only occurs when a body’s weight is
equal to the net drag forces present. Therefore, the net forces acting on a body would be
equal to 0 during terminal velocity, and there would be zero acceleration present.
Theory:
Terminal velocity:
Terminal velocity is the maximum velocity achievable by an object during a downward
displacement, and occurs when the object’s weight equals to the net drag forces present. It
can be represented by the equation:
W =Fd +U

Where:
W = Weight (N) , Fd = Air resistive/ drag force (N) , U = Upthrust force (N)
Velocity:
Velocity is defined as the rate of change of displacement:
∆s
∴ v=
∆t
Where:
v = Velocity (ms-1) , s = Displacement (m) , t = Time (s)
Area of a Circle :
2
A=π r
Where:
A = Area of circle (m2) , r = radius of circle (m)
[INSERT DIAGRAM OF PARACHUTE APPARATUS]
Materials:

 Plastic tubing
 String
 Weights
 Cotton cloth
 Scissors
 Meter rule
 Stopwatch

Variables:
Controlled variable: Distance parachute falls, Mass (Part A), Diameter (Part B)
Manipulated variable: Diameter(Part A), Mass (Part B)
Responding variable: Time taken for parachute to fall.

Method:
Part A:
1. Cut a circular piece of cloth with a diameter of 8cm.
2. Set up the apparatus as seen in the diagram, with a mass of 50g as the load.
3. Drop the parachute at a height of 4m and start the stopwatch simultaneously.
4. Record the time it takes for the parachute to reach the ground.
5. Repeat steps 3-4, 2 more times.
6. Repeat the experiment by increasing the diameter of the cloth, by 2cm, 6 times.
Part B:
1. Using a circular cloth, with diameter 12cm, and loading mass of 20g, set up the
apparatus as seen in the diagram.
2. Drop the parachute at a height of 4m and start the stopwatch simultaneously.
3. Record the time it takes for the parachute to reach the ground.
4. Repeat steps 2-3, 2 more times.
5. Repeat the experiment by increasing the loading mass, by 10g, 6 times.
 Expected results:

Table 1. TABLE SHOWING RESULTS FOR VARYING PARACHUTE DIAMETER

Diameter Surface Fall time (t) (s) Average fall Velocity
(d)(m) Area (A) t1 t2 t3 time (tavg) (V)(m/s)
(m2)
0.08 0.005
0.10 0.008
0.12 0.011
0.14 0.015
0.16 0.020
0.18 0.025
0.20 0.031

Table 2. TABLE SHOWING RESULTS FOR VARYING PARACHUTE LOADS

Loading Loading Fall time (t) (s) Average fall Velocity
masses (Kg) weight (N) t1 t2 t3 time (tavg) (V)(m/s)
0.02 0.196
0.03 0.294
0.04 0.392
0.05 0.491
0.06 0.589
0.07 0.687
0.08 0.795
[INSERT EXPECTED GRAPHS OF TERMINAL VELOCITY OF PARACHUTE]
Treatments of results:
Part A:
Hypothesis is valid if objects with greater surface area exhibit terminal velocity.
Hypothesis is invalid if objects with lower surface area exhibit terminal velocity.
Part B:
Hypothesis is valid if objects of greater mass exhibit terminal velocity.
Hypothesis is invalid if objects with lower mass exhibit terminal velocity.

Assumptions:

 The height is sufficient for terminal velocity to be reached.

 The material chosen for the parachute is suitable.
 The mass of the cloth and strings are insignificant to the mass of the weights.

Precautions:

 Weights are placed in a casing to ensure the string can securely hold on
 Th parachute at each respective diameter or weight must be dropped multiple times
to ensure accuracy.
 A pointer being placed at the 4m mark to ensure the parachute is dropped at the
same height.

Possible sources of error:

 Parallax error in cutting the parachutes to correct lengths.

 The parachutes would not drop exactly from the 4m mark.
 Human reaction time with respect to recording times with the stopwatch.

Limitations:

 Environmental factors such as wind and heat would influence the terminal velocity.
 Atmospheric density isn’t constant.
 The dropping height may be too small.