## What is the Typical Terminal Velocity for a Skydiver?
Terminal velocity is the maximum speed that a skydiver can reach during freefall. It is determined by a number of factors, including the skydiver’s weight, surface area, and drag coefficient.
### Factors Affecting Terminal Velocity
Weight: The heavier a skydiver is, the faster they will fall. This is because gravity exerts a greater force on heavier objects.
Surface Area: The surface area of a skydiver’s body also affects their terminal velocity. A skydiver with a larger surface area will experience more drag, which will slow them down.
Drag Coefficient: The drag coefficient is a measure of how much air resistance an object experiences. A skydiver with a high drag coefficient will experience more drag, which will slow them down.
### Typical Terminal Velocity
The typical terminal velocity for a skydiver is between 120 and 140 miles per hour (193 and 225 kilometers per hour). However, this can vary depending on the factors discussed above.
### Reaching Terminal Velocity
A skydiver typically reaches terminal velocity within 10 to 15 seconds of freefall. Once they reach terminal velocity, they will continue to fall at a constant speed until they deploy their parachute.
### Deploying the Parachute
When a skydiver deploys their parachute, it creates a large amount of drag, which slows them down rapidly. The parachute will typically slow the skydiver down to a speed of around 10 miles per hour (16 kilometers per hour).
### Conclusion
Terminal velocity is the maximum speed that a skydiver can reach during freefall. It is determined by a number of factors, including the skydiver’s weight, surface area, and drag coefficient. The typical terminal velocity for a skydiver is between 120 and 140 miles per hour (193 and 225 kilometers per hour).