What is terminal velocity? And how to get there quickly | The Science of Skydiving | We The Curious

How is it possible to jump out of a plane and survive? We sent Ross up to 15,000ft to find out...

This video was presented by: Ross Exton, Live Science Video Producer
Produced by: Ross Exton & Seamus Foley, Big Screen Producer

We The Curious is an idea and a place for everyone. We’re all about asking questions, being playful and testing things out. An educational charity that removes boundaries around science - connecting art, people, everything, in a united culture of curiosity.

Music: Provided courtesy of YouTube Audio Library

[georgejacob]

I've done two tandems as can be seen on my YouTube channel. Once you reach terminal velocity it just feels like you are floating rather than falling due to the air pressure on your body. It doesn't feel scary at all! In fact watch an experienced skydiver practising stable flight at an Indoor Skydiving centre and then realise that that is what a real free-fall feels like.

[feelingfeni]

I just got to jump by myself for the first time last week. Its strange, but as I was falling belly down, which is the slower position, I shifted my legs in and I "fell down" per say, quickly enough that I got scared for a second. Then I realized I'm already falling. lol. Its so strange to be falling in one position, then shift and fall again. Have you ever heard or thought of this concept? Maybe its one of those things that has to be felt.

[studymaker]

Why does this channel not have millions of subscribers. Literally my kinda tea here.

[fanistheodoulou]

I have 2 questions:

1)What is an estimation for the Surface Area of a man with height 1.80m(5.9feet) and weight 90kg(220.462 pounds)
2)Opening a parachute with Surface Area 30m^2(322 square feet) what is an estimation for the time in which the parachutist need to reach a steady velocity of about 5-8m/s(11-18mph)

[luringchandelure]

Thank you!!! finally I can teach these to my fellow classmates. My teacher is lazy that she relies on me to teach her students (including me).

[akhilspai]

Hey, this is the first video that i have seen from your channel. There is not much science to explain here and you did it interestingly. hope you succeed.

[bobsmithers]

The air resistance is not pushing back it's just more air is being pushed out of the way by your plunging body. The air is basically just in the way and you're falling body has to move more air out of the way in a faster process as your speed increases due to your density and mass, until you hit the ground. Hopefully you have a parachute.

[voltplayz]

Thanks now I know what terminal velocity i bet you just helped me past my science test.

[NovaFlova]

His hair is all fluffed up because of the plane🤣

[PlatinumG]

Pretty sure the instructor isnt pulling at 3, 500 ft with a tandem lol.

[Cotronixco]

Terminal Velocity is incorrect. The speed does not stop. The INCREASE in speed stops. Therefore it should be called Terminal Velocity Increase.

[mqvkeuo]

Who else got this for isolation homework?

[sts]

I only weigh 130 pounds. At terminal velocity, a fatter person would fall faster than me, I would slow down like a feather.

[jimday]

Nice. At least a youtuber who puts his money where his mouth is.

[KiddAndy]

Would a human still be alive if crashing into water at terminal velocity?