A575 g squirrel with a frontal surface area of 0.0146 m^2 falls from a 8.5 m tree to the ground. assume the density of air in this problem is given by 1.21 kg/m^3. (a) what is its terminal velocity in m/s? (use a drag coefficient of 0.70 and assume down is positive) (b) what will the velocity (in m/s) of a 56 kg person falling that distance, assuming no drag contribution?

a) 30.20 m/s

b) 12.91 m/s

Explanation:

Mass of squirrel = 575 g = m

Drag coefficient = 0.70 = C

Density of air = 1.21 kg/m³ = ρ

frontal surface area = 0.0146 m² = A

Height the squirrel falls = 8.5 m = h

a) Drag force

This force will oppose gravity

∴ Terminal velocity is 30.20 m/s

b) Neglecting drag force we get

∴ Velocity of a 56 kg person falling that distance, assuming no drag contribution is 12.91 m/s