Fall One - Terminal Velocity · Physics Brawl 2013 #FoL.5
Physics · mechanics
Problem
What is the stabilized velocity of a falling leaf, if the leaf has enough time to reach an equilibrium. Consider the grammage of the leaf similar to be to that of office paper (80g·m−2) and that it has the shape is of a hemisphere. Consider Newton's relation for air resistance and take air density to be ρ=1.29kg·m−3 and the drag coefficient C =0.33. Assume gravitational acceleration g=9.81m·s−2. Those who are afraid of falling leaves have a guilty conscience.