Modeling a Parachute Jumper

Term: 
2019-2020 Summer
Faculty Department of Project Supervisor: 
Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences
Number of Students: 
2

This project aims to improve one of my students' previous work on modeling parachute jumpers who do it in two different ways: one points the head to the ground, one jumps horizontally in a spread eagle position. There he discussed the terminal velocity of the jumper, the time it took for the jumper to reach terminal velocity, the distance covered by the jumper until reaching terminal velocity and reaching the new terminal velocity after deploying the parachute and the time it takes for the jumper to land. Two models were compared and the effects of change of position was discussed. 
To take this exploration one step further, instead of finding an equation of velocity in terms of time of a parachute jumper whose conditions have been decided before, velocity equation of the jumper with more variables such as mass and height of the jumper could be found. Therefore, a table of the model could be created where others would use it to see how fast would they go and how much would the jump take for themselves. We believe that the results would bring more safety before taking action. One idea in order to conclude with real-like results is to restrict the height of the jump with a maximum level and choose the density of air as a variable.
The project will not only give mathematical equations but also provide computer programme to enter the data and come up with numbers so that jumper will know approximately when the parachute is needed, how long it will take to reach the ground etc. The effects of the variables will be discussed and the most prominent one will be emphasized.

Related Areas of Project: 
Computer Science and Engineering
​Mathematics

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