Chute-ing Among the Stars
What is a parachute? How does a parachute operate? Where have you seen a parachute deployed?
Definition and Properties of Fluids Gases and Liquids Properties – Density – Viscosity – Compressibility Is air compressible? Is water compressible? Density effects: oil floats on water (Gulf of Mexico spill, 5/3/10) Viscous effects: eddy currents show reversing flow direction
Resistance to Fluid: Drag Sometimes the goal is to decrease resistance Other times we try to increase resistance
Terminal Velocity Point where no additional acceleration occurs: – Balanced gravitational weight and drag forces – This does NOT mean you stop moving!
Connection with Engineering What needs to be considered in parachute design? – Mass/Weight of transported object – Target velocity (dynamics) – Construction Materials (durability)