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If you fell out of a plane without a parachute, how long would it take to fall 5 miles or 8 kilometers?

Question #72883. Asked by battrivkev74.

avatar
Terry star
Answer has 5 votes
Currently Best Answer
Terry star
Moderator
25 year member
333 replies avatar

Answer has 5 votes.

Currently voted the best answer.
Start with this formula, and work it out:

d=1/2at^2

d, distance, a, acceleration due to gravity, t, time. Solve for t given a and d.



Dec 03 2006, 2:24 AM
battrivkev74
Answer has 2 votes
battrivkev74
19 year member
14 replies

Answer has 2 votes.
142 seconds?

Dec 03 2006, 2:36 AM
peasypod star
Answer has 3 votes
peasypod star
21 year member
3273 replies

Answer has 3 votes.
Um Terry, this formula would have you whistling with a sonic boom pretty quick. You would need to include the opposing resistive force due to the air, thereby greatly increasing the fall time.

Since the resistive force is dependent on the air density (and if you have your arms out) it becomes a bit difficult. This is where physicists usually start saying "assuming the person is approximately spherical...". ;)


Dec 03 2006, 3:17 AM
SOTHC
Answer has 3 votes
SOTHC
21 year member
772 replies

Answer has 3 votes.
You may have to take terminal velocity into consideration & give two answers as 5 miles = 8.04672 kilometres link https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terminal_velocity

Dec 03 2006, 4:31 AM
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zbeckabee star
Answer has 5 votes
zbeckabee star
Moderator
19 year member
11752 replies avatar

Answer has 5 votes.
In free fall, you fall at about 125 miles per hour (mph) if you have your arms and legs extended, and at that speed you will travel about 12,000 feet in one minute.


link http://science.howstuffworks.com/question729.htm

Dec 03 2006, 4:33 AM
battrivkev74
Answer has 3 votes
battrivkev74
19 year member
14 replies

Answer has 3 votes.
So 12000ft per minute. Roughly 26500ft in a mile. Just over 2 minutes to go splat? Is that right?

Dec 03 2006, 5:21 AM
What-A-Mess
Answer has 2 votes
What-A-Mess

Answer has 2 votes.
5280 feet per mile.

Acceleration curve has to be accounted for.

If you REALLY wish to know ALL about this.....

Check out SOTHC's posted site. Too much for mathematical abilities!

Dec 03 2006, 7:27 AM
avatar
zbeckabee star
Answer has 3 votes
zbeckabee star
Moderator
19 year member
11752 replies avatar

Answer has 3 votes.
Yes, if you are just looking for a rough estimate it would be a bit over 2 minutes...

Dec 03 2006, 10:19 AM
LyokoRox
Answer has 2 votes
LyokoRox

Answer has 2 votes.
We need to know wind speed and other things to figure it out.

Dec 04 2006, 4:51 PM
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