Can a human survive impact at terminal velocity?

While even short drops can be lethal, people have survived horrendous falls. In very high falls, bodies can reach terminal velocity, the speed at which air resistance becomes so high it cancels out the acceleration due to gravity.

Has anyone ever survived a terminal velocity fall?

People have survived terminal velocity falls. In 1972, Vesna Vulović fell over 33,330 ft without a parachute after the plane she was in exploded. She didn’t exactly walk away from the fall, however. She spent days in a coma, and was hospitalized for months after that.

What is the difference between free fall and terminal velocity?

Take a look at the definitions and equations of the terms, how they are related, and how fast a body falls in free fall or at terminal velocity under different conditions. Terminal velocity is defined as the highest velocity that can be achieved by an object that is falling through a fluid, such as air or water.

What is the velocity of free fall on a planet?

If an object is falling toward the surface of a planet and the force of gravity is much greater than the force of air resistance or else its velocity is much less than terminal velocity, the vertical velocity of free fall may be approximated as: v t = gt + v 0

How far does an object fall to reach terminal velocity?

Because terminal velocity depends on drag and an object’s cross section, there is no one speed for terminal velocity. In general, a person falling through the air on Earth reaches terminal velocity after about 12 seconds, which covers about 450 meters or 1500 feet.

Can an object be in free fall at the top?

Although it might seem strange, an object can be in free fall even when moving upward or at the top of its motion. A skydiver jumping from outside the atmosphere (like a HALO jump) very nearly achieves true terminal velocity and free fall.