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AP Physics C (Mech)
Fluids
OS-UP-14-95 · OpenStax University Physics Volume 1

Viscosity and Turbulence (Problem 95)

A skydiver will reach a terminal velocity when the air drag equals their weight. For a skydiver with a large body, turbulence is a factor at high speeds. The drag force then is approximately proportional to the square of the velocity. Taking the drag force to be and setting this equal to the skydiver’s weight, find the terminal speed for a person falling “spread eagle.”