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Parachute Dynamics

How does the Mass of the object, surface area of the tarpaulin, and length of the

rope of the parachute affect the Landing t ime?

Physics

Word count: 3794

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Contents
1 Introduction: ........................................................................................................................5

2 Background Information: .....................................................................................................6

2.1 Drag force: ....................................................................................................................8

2.2 Drag Coefficient: ........................................................................................................ 10

2.3 Stokes Law ` .............................................................................................................. 11

2.4 Experimental background............................................................................................ 13

3 Hypothesis: ........................................................................................................................ 15

3.1 Hypothesis 1: .............................................................................................................. 15

3.2 Hypothesis 2: .............................................................................................................. 15

3.3 Hypothesis 3 ............................................................................................................... 15

4 Variables:........................................................................................................................... 16

4.1 Independent Variable .................................................................................................. 16

4.2 Dependent Variable..................................................................................................... 16

4.3 Control Variable ......................................................................................................... 17

4.3.1 Why does drop height need to be controlled? ....................................................... 17

4.3.2 Why does the material of the parachute need to be controlled? ............................. 17

5 Materials Required ............................................................................................................. 17

6 Methodology: ..................................................................................................................... 18

7 Data Collection .................................................................................................................. 19

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7.1 Mass Vs velocity ......................................................................................................... 19

7.1.1 The Table showing how the landing time of the parachute changes as the mass of

the parachute changes ........................................................................................................ 19

7.1.2 Velocity Calculation: ........................................................................................... 19

7.1.3 Table showing Absolute Uncertainty:................................................................... 20

7.1.4 Calculating Absolute Uncertainty:........................................................................ 20

7.2 Surface Area Vs velocity:............................................................................................ 21

7.2.1 The Table showing how the landing time of the parachute changes as the surface

area of the parachute changes ............................................................................................. 21

7.2.2 Velocity Calculation: ........................................................................................... 21

7.2.3 Absolute Uncertainty: .......................................................................................... 22

7.2.4 Calculation for Absolute Uncertainty: .................................................................. 22

7.3 Length of the rope and velocity: .................................................................................. 23

7.3.1 The Table showing how the landing time of the parachute changes as the length of

the rope in the parachute changes ....................................................................................... 23

7.3.2 Calculation for length of the rope and Velocity: ................................................... 23

8 Graph ................................................................................................................................. 24

8.1 A graph of Velocity at which the Parachute lands and Mass of the Parachute .............. 24

8.1.1 Velocity VS Mass ................................................................................................ 24

8.1.2 Velocity² Vs Mass ................................................................................................ 24

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8.2 A graph of Velocity at which the Parachute lands and Surface Area of the Parachute .. 25

8.2.1 Velocity Vs Surface Area ..................................................................................... 25

8.2.2 Velocity² Vs surface Area .................................................................................... 25

8.3 A graph of Velocity at which the Parachute lands and length of the rope in the

Parachute ............................................................................................................................... 26

8.3.1 Velocity Vs length of the Rope ............................................................................ 26

8.3.2 Velocity² Vs Length of the Rope .......................................................................... 26

9 Determining Drag Coefficient(Cd): .................................................................................... 27

10 Analysis and observation: ............................................................................................... 27

10.1 Preliminary Investigation ............................................................................................ 27

10.2 Analyzing Mass and velocity: ..................................................................................... 28

10.3 Analyzing Surface Area and Velocity: ........................................................................ 28

10.4 Analyzing Length of the Rope and Velocity: ............................................................... 29

11 Conclusion: .................................................................................................................... 29

12 Evaluation: ..................................................................................................................... 30

12.1 Strengths ..................................................................................................................... 30

12.2 Weaknesses ................................................................................................................. 30

13 Further Scope: ................................................................................................................ 31

14 References ........................................................................................................................... 32
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1 Introduction:

My interest has always been piqued by the concept of aerodynamics, air resistance/drag, air foils,

and nearly anything related to aerostatics, although the facts these themes are not explored in

depth in the IB Physics HL program. A parachute is an inflated device made of flexible fabric,

typically nylon, which slows an object travelling through fluid. Parachutes are used to delay a

person or object's fall from a high altitude, but they may also be used to decelerate a vehicle's

horizontal motion after landing, such as an aircraft or a space shuttle.

Parachutes exist in a variety of forms and patterns where the shape and material influences

the time of landing. Additionally, they are utilized for a broad range of purposes, including

military, civilian, cargo, and vehicle recovery, as well as for entertainment and education. For

instance, the two Mars Explorer Rovers (MERs) which NASA launched weighed around 180 kg

and had a diameter of around 8.5 meter parachute in the rover. They deployed successfully and

securely delayed ascent through Mars' tenuous atmosphere. In any case, it's important to estimate

the time and distance required for drag to delay the parachute's target. The distance is crucial

because engineers need to determine whether a fighter jet can land on a runway on an aircraft

carrier. The duration of the pilots' exposure to powerful decelerating forces must be known, so

that they may be determined. This aided in the investigation and overall understanding on how

the drag, which is the opposing force pushing on the parachute, altered the parachute by

the surrounding.

As time went on, research was conducted about the manufacture of parachutes and the

accidents they cause. This investigation can be utilized to prevent those accidents from

occurring. Drawing free body diagrams for all the forces acting on a falling object and how the

other factors affecting the parachute will be helpful in minimizing the uncertainties being exerted
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on the object falling from a height. There are several factors affecting the specific parachute,

which makes a significant difference in velocity of the falling object. This essay will investigate

how the Mass of the object, surface area of the tarpaulin, and length of the rope of the

parachute affect the landing time?

2 Background Information:

The opposing force acting on the parachute is known as air

resistance or drag. As the name suggests, it is the force working

against gravity that the parachute takes advantage of.

In the case of parachutes, as they are tugged, they tend to drop

because of gravity, but an opposing force, air resistance, seeks to

prevent this. A parachute functions when air from below tries to resist

it from falling down as gravity pulls it downwards. When an object

having a mass m is falling through the gravitational field, the drag Figure 1 - (Benson)

force, FD, and the parachute's own weight, mg, both act on the same

body. Using Newton's second rule of motion in the vertical direction, the differential equation for

the parachute's velocity is shown in Equation [1]:

dV
m + F𝐷 − 𝑚𝑔 = 0 ⋯ ⋯ (1)
dt

𝒎 = 𝒎𝒂𝒔𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒉𝒖𝒕𝒆, 𝑽 = 𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒄𝒊𝒕𝒚, 𝒈 = 𝒂𝒄𝒄𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒅𝒖𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒊𝒕𝒚

𝑭𝑫 = 𝑫𝒓𝒂𝒈 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒄𝒆
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The parachute generates air resistance, or drag force, which

slows the parachute down. These forces always acts on a moving

object, as Newton proposed “when an object exerts a force on

another object it will experience an equal and opposite force”. The

air resists the motion of the object by decreasing the velocity. As

the parachute rises, the air exerts a force that is opposing the

gravity. These "push and pull" pressures are almost equal as the

parachute descends. When the “push and the pull” of the parachute

are same, the parachute drops in a constant speed and this is

Figure 2 – representing air resistance and
commonly known as the terminal velocity. The achievement of weight with equal forces – self made

equilibrium between weight and air resistance can be noted in figure [2]. To find the terminal

velocity of different objects, this investigation utilizes Equation [2](sand, Kelly) as follows:

2𝑚𝑔
𝑣= ⋯ ⋯ (2)
𝜌𝐴 𝐶𝑑

Equation [2] for drag is always derived using the Equation [3](Formula as per

Physics IB syllabus):

𝑓 = 𝑚𝑎 ⋯ ⋯ (3)

𝒎 = 𝑴𝒂𝒔𝒔, 𝒂 = 𝑨𝒄𝒄𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏, f = 𝑭𝒐𝒓𝒄𝒆

Equation [3] can be written in terms of acceleration (a) as follows in Equation

[4]:

𝐹
Figure 3 - Drag Force 𝑎 = 𝑚 ⋯ ⋯ (4)
and weight (Westra)
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Since we know the net force is used to move the object and includes the resistive force, the

equation for net force would be seen in Equation [5]:

𝐹𝑁𝑒𝑡 = 𝐹𝐷 − 𝑊 ⋯ ⋯ (5)

𝑭𝑫 = 𝑫𝒓𝒂𝒈 / 𝑨𝒊𝒓 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 , 𝑾 = 𝑾𝒆𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑷𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒉𝒖𝒕𝒆

Instead of FD in we substitute FD-W in Equation [4] which then leads us to:

𝐹𝐷 − 𝑊
𝑎 = ⋯ ⋯ (6)
𝑚

𝑫 = 𝒅𝒓𝒂𝒈 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒄𝒆, 𝑾 = 𝑾𝒆𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕

Terminal velocity is when the object is moving at a constant speed and can only be

obtained when the opposing force and the downward forces are the same. So in this instance this

would be the drag and the weight of the object. Terminal velocity is when FD = W.

2.1 Drag force:

When an object moves in a fluid its motion is opposed by the resistive force offered by the

fluid, due to which the velocity of the object decreases. This is known as damping. There are two

types of damping: liner damping and quadratic damping. Following the object’s attainment of a
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terminal speed Vt while falling in a viscous fluid with viscosity 𝜂, Stokes' law provides the FD

for that situation.

𝐹𝐷 = 6𝜋𝜂𝑉𝑡 𝑎 ⋯ ⋯ (7)

𝑽𝒕 = 𝑻𝒆𝒓𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒄𝒊𝒕𝒚, 𝒂 = 𝒂𝒄𝒄𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏,

𝜼 = 𝒗𝒊𝒔𝒄𝒐𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒍𝒖𝒊𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒄𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒉𝒖𝒕𝒆 𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒄𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒔

In order to get a first estimate of the drag force that is applied to an item when the speeds

are extremely tiny, it is usually desirable to adopt this drag force's shape. In this instance, it may

be rewritten as:

FD = k1 V ⋯ ⋯ (8)

Where coefficient k1 is obtained experimentally in Equation [8]:

dV
M + K1 V − 𝑚𝑔 = 0 ⋯ ⋯ (9)
dt

As it is being released from the rest to simplify it we do (t=0). After integrating and rearranging

the terms we get the following equation.

𝑉 𝑘1
= 1 − 𝑒 𝑚 ⋯ ⋯ (10)
𝑉𝑡

𝑽𝒕 = 𝑻𝒆𝒓𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝑽𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒄𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒉𝒖𝒕𝒆, 𝒎 = 𝒎𝒂𝒔𝒔

𝒌𝟏 = 𝒄𝒐𝒆𝒇𝒇𝒊𝒄𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒐𝒃𝒕𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒅 𝒆𝒙𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚

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2.2 Drag Coefficient:

Drag Coefficients (Cd) are used to measure the resistance a body encounters while moving

through a fluid. When estimating aerodynamic drag, the dimensionless quantities of shape, tilt

and flow conditions enable aerodynamicists to estimate drag on a body. The more streamlined an

object is, the lower its drag coefficient is, while blunt and bulky objects will have a higher drag

coefficient.

Squaring on both sides in Equation [2]:

2𝑚𝑔
𝑉² = ⋯ ⋯ (11)
𝜌𝐴𝐶𝑑

When the object moves at constant velocity also most commonly known as terminal velocity we

can say that:

𝑊𝑒𝑖𝑔𝑕𝑡(𝑚𝑔) = 𝐷𝑟𝑎𝑔 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒 𝐹𝐷

Since mass is changing, we may consider that mass is the independent variable on the X axis and

velocity2 is the dependent variable on the Y axis.

𝑿 𝑨𝒙𝒊𝒔 = 𝑴𝒂𝒔𝒔

𝒀 𝑨𝒙𝒊𝒔 = 𝑽²

(𝑌 −𝑌 )
𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡(𝑚) = (𝑋2 −𝑋1 ) ⋯ ⋯ (12),
2 1

2𝑔
𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑚 = ⋯ ⋯ (13)
𝜌𝐴𝐶𝑑
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Rearranging Equation [13] in-terms of Cd:

2𝑔
𝐶𝑑 = ⋯ ⋯ (14)
𝜌𝐴𝑚

The next part is the formula for drag which would be Equation [15] (Sand, Kelly):

𝐶𝑑 × 𝜌 × 𝑉 2 × 𝐴
𝐷= ⋯ ⋯ (15)
2

𝑪𝒅 – 𝑫𝒓𝒂𝒈 𝒄𝒐𝒆𝒇𝒇𝒊𝒄𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒕, 𝒓– 𝑫𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒚, 𝑽 – 𝑽𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒄𝒊𝒕𝒚, 𝑨 – 𝑨𝒓𝒆𝒂 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒉𝒖𝒕𝒆

And during terminal velocity Since FD = W we can rewrite the formula for terminal velocity as

Equation [16]( World Transactions on Engineering and Technology Education):

𝐶𝑑 × 𝜌 × 𝑉 2 × 𝐴2
𝑤= ⋯ ⋯ (16)
2

Hence solving for the vertical velocity V, we finally arrive at Equation [2]

2.3 Stokes Law `

According to stokes law, when an object moves through a fluid it reaches terminal

velocity but the object takes some time for it to reach the terminal speed. Application of stokes

law needs to find when and where the terminal velocity is achieved.
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According to quadratic damping the drag force acting on a sphere of diameter D moving

through incompressible viscous fluid of density 𝜌 and viscosity 𝜂 is given by:

𝜌𝑉𝐷
𝐹𝐷 = 𝜌𝑉 2 𝐷2 𝑓 ⋯ ⋯ (17)
𝜂

𝑓 is a mysterious function. It is well knowledge that this equation's form holds true for any item.

This is how it is written:

FD = k 2 V² ⋯ ⋯ (18)

Where k2 is an experimentally determined coefficient. For an object that is submerged in an

incompressible fluid the drag force is given by:

𝜌𝐴 𝐶𝐷
𝐹𝐷 = ( ) 𝑣² ⋯ ⋯ (19)
2

In general the drag force can be written as

𝐹𝐷 = 𝑘𝑛 𝑉 𝑛 ⋯ ⋯ (20)

The Equation [1] can be written as:

dV
M + K n V n − 𝑚𝑔 = 0 ⋯ ⋯ (21)
dt
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2.4 Experimental background

A parachute's drag coefficient is influenced by geometrical elements, material qualities, and

the aerodynamics of its flight. The length of the rope, the form of the canopy, the surface area of

the parachute is all geometric considerations. The canopy's permeability and porosity are two

examples of its material qualities. The speed of drop, the gliding properties, and the airflow

patterns surrounding the canopy are all examples of the aerodynamic features of the parachute's

flight. Four alternative types of descent are possible for a particular parachute: restricted, gliding,

oscillating (also known as spiraling), or a mix of the final two. When the rates of descent are

low, gliding has a tendency to predominate; when they are intermediate, oscillations have a

tendency to predominate; and when the rates are high, mode combination has a tendency to

predominate. Consequently, even when the speeds are not particularly different, the drag

coefficients might change significantly depending on the method of descent.

Thoughts like these incessantly flowed through the mind in trying to find an answer using

the physics but none of it made sense without knowing anything relating to drag or velocity due

to the pull. The wind force usually affects the time taken for the parachute to fall down as it

shifts the direction of the parachute. All of these lead to the final topic to find out what affects

the terminal velocity of the object. Is it the mass of the object or the length of the rope or is it the

surface area of the parachute. As I went through multiple resources I started to think as to what

material is used in a parachute and which one I should be using. The actual material of the

parachute is made of Nylon fabric. The cost of this material is high and hence instead a sheet of

tarpaulin is going to be used. Cotton fabrics are permeable and feature tiny holes, which trap air.

Therefore, it enables air to pass through, and the next material that was considered for the
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parachute was the plastic sheet. However, the plastic sheet could easily be ripped owing to the

large drag force caused during the free fall of the parachute. The third option would be the

tarpaulin sheet which helps high durability and also doesn’t let any water or air pass through it

unless there are holes cut in the sheet (Home stratosphere’s Editorial Staff & Writer). This is

where a thought was finalized that tarpaulin sheet would help conduct the experiment better than

the cloth or the plastic sheet. If this piece of sheet has to be used in this for conducting the drag

formed in this experiment would be the closest at most to the parachute which means it would

help me find the drop of the object also precise. Another variable which would cause a stop in

the experiment would be the mass being attached to the tarpaulin. The mass attached to the

tarpaulin if it was a box it could have more air resistance and if wind is blowing in a particular

direction at high speed it would cause the parachute to have a change in direction. To avoid this

error a measurable weighing mass could be used.

𝑉 = 𝑔 × 𝑡 ⋯ ⋯ (22)

The Equation [22] is constructed from the SUVAT equation. In my experiment since the

initial velocity is 0, therefore u = 0 and g stands for acceleration due to gravity. This could be

used in the experiment but since calculating the value of 𝒂, acceleration, is going to be hard to

calculate and this can only be used when my investigation 𝒂 is not going to be constant.

When an object moves at constant speed the velocity of the object is given by the

formula:

𝑉 = 𝑑/𝑡 ⋯ ⋯ (23. )

1
formula as per IB physics syllabus
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𝑽 = 𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒄𝒊𝒕𝒚, 𝒅 = 𝒅𝒓𝒐𝒑 𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 ,

𝒕 = 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝒕𝒂𝒌𝒆𝒏 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒐𝒃𝒋𝒆𝒄𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒐𝒖𝒄𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒈𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅

3 Hypothesis:

3.1 Hypothesis 1:

My first hypothesis is that increasing the mass of the object attached to the chute will decrease

the time taken for it which means there is an increase in the velocity. This is due to the

gravitational pull of the earth affecting the parachute as the mass increases. The Formula which

shows that the mass increases the gravitational pull is the W = Mg since g being the gravitational

constant.

3.2 Hypothesis 2:

The second hypothesis relates to the effect of surface area on velocity. I hypothesise that the

surface area will influence the time it takes for the chute to contact the ground, and as the surface

area increases, so will the time it takes for the chute to hit the ground, since the drag force acting

on the chute increases as its surface area increases. According to the formula often known as the

contemporary drag equation, the surface area of the parachute is inversely related to velocity.

The equation [8] found in the background material suggests this. Using the values of surface area

and mass, the formula has been developed with surface area serving as the denominator.

3.3 Hypothesis 3

The 3rd hypothesis is about the length of the rope will affect the time taken for the chute to touch

the ground and affecting velocity. I hypothesize from my research that increasing the length of

the rope will create more spread of the chute and therefore creating more space for the air to
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directly push the tarpaulin in the upwards direction which means there will be more drag acting

on it. To look closely into the dynamic of a parachute when the chute was dropped the chute

opens and as it leaves, it is in a curved manner and most of the drag is around the center area

where the resistive force the drag here is high. When the chute was dropped, the drag from all

direction affecting on the chute is focused on center of the tarpaulin creating a curved like shape

in the chute. This gives the parachute more drag and slowing it from falling down. Due to this I

hypothesize that that the length of the rope as it is increased it will increase the time taken for it

to touch the ground therefore decreasing velocity.

4 Variables:

4.1 Independent Variable

Variables Uncertainty(±)

Mass (±0.01)(×10-3kg)

Surface Area (±0.2) (×10-4m²)

Length of the rope (±0.1) (×10-2m)

4.2 Dependent Variable

Variable Uncertainty(±)

Time Taken for parachute to land (±0.01)(s)

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4.3 Control Variable

Variable Uncertainty(±)

Drop Height (±0.1)( ×10-2m)

Material of the Chute None

4.3.1 Why does drop height need to be controlled?

The drop height needs to be controlled due to the change in acceleration/velocity it causes.

Increasing the height from which the parachute is dropped causes the object to attain more

velocity and due to the wind from all direction it causes the parachute topple over and fail the

experiment.

4.3.2 Why does the material of the parachute need to be controlled?

The reason why the material of the parachute must be regulated is because each material has its

unique drag force. For example, a Cotton clot will have less drag than a plastic sheet or tarpaulin

because to the dispersion and airflow characteristics of each material. When air travels through

the material, the drag force acting upon the parachute decreases. Changing the material of the

parachute for each trial increases trial-to-trial variability and influences other factors.

5 Materials Required

1. Slotted Mass

2. Tarpaulin Sheet cut into different sizes

3. Rope to tie tarpaulin and slotted mass

4. A stop watch to calculate the time taken for the object to land
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6 Methodology:

1. Cut the tarpaulin in a specific length and calculate the surface area using the formula 𝑎2

2. Punch a hole in all 4 corners of the tarpaulin to tie the rope

3. Tie one end of the rope to the punched hole

4. The parachute was dropped from 2nd floor which is around 6.7 meters

5. Start the timer as soon as parachute is dropped

6. Stop the timer as soon as parachute touches the ground

7. Record the time taken

8. Repeat the experiment 3 times and calculate the average

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7 Data Collection

7.1 Mass Vs velocity

7.1.1 The Table showing how the landing time of the parachute changes as the mass of the

parachute changes

Collected Data Processed Data

Length Surface Time Taken for parachute to land(s) 𝑫

𝟐 ∗ 𝒎𝒈 𝑽=
Mass 𝒗= 𝑻
of Rope Area Trial Trial Trial 𝝆𝑨𝑪𝒅
(×10-3kg) Mean(s) (m/s)
-2 -4
(×10 m (×10 m²) 1 2 3 (m/s)

20 400 20 3.13 3.24 2.99 3.06 2.4 2.59

20 400 30 2.89 2.65 2.73 2.75 2.89 2.88

20 400 40 2.42 2.56 2.56 2.51 3.34 3.07

20 400 50 2.35 2.12 2.31 2.26 3.73 3.50

20 400 60 1.85 1.78 1.91 1.84 4.09 4.30

20 400 70 1.63 1.51 1.75 1.63 4.42 4.86

Table 1 - representing the variation of time taken and velocity

Table 1
7.1.2 Velocity Calculation:

Calculation of 𝒗 using modern drag equation Calculation of v using d/t

Equation[2] Equation[11]

𝟕. 𝟗𝟑
𝟐 × 𝟐𝟎 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟑 × 𝟗. 𝟖𝟏 𝑽=
𝒗= 𝟑. 𝟎𝟔
𝟏 × 𝟒𝟎𝟎 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟒 × 𝟏. 𝟕𝟓
𝑽 = 𝟐. 𝟓𝟗 (𝐦/𝐬)
𝒗 = 𝟐. 𝟒(𝐦/𝐬)

Table 2 - Calculating velocity while changing mass

 20

7.1.3 Table showing Absolute Uncertainty:

Mass(×10-3kg) Velocity (m/s) Absolute uncertainty(±)

20 2.4 0.01

30 2.89 0.01

40 3.34 0.02

50 3.73 0.02

60 4.09 0.02

70 4.42 0.02

Table 3 – Velocity and its Absolute Uncertainty

7.1.4 Calculating Absolute Uncertainty:

Calculation for absolute Uncertainty:

From Equation[2]

1 Δ𝑚 Δ𝑙
Δ𝑣 = ( + )×𝑉
2 𝑚 𝑙

1 0.01 0.1
𝛥𝑣 = ( × + ) × 2.4
2 20 20

Δ𝑣 = 0.0126
 21

7.2 Surface Area Vs velocity:

7.2.1 The Table showing how the landing time of the parachute changes as the surface

area of the parachute changes

Collected Data Processed Data

Length Surface Time Taken for parachute to land(s) 𝑫

𝟐 ∗ 𝒎𝒈 𝑽=
Mass 𝒗= 𝑻
of Rope Area 𝝆𝑨𝑪𝒅
(×10-3kg) Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Mean(s) (m/s)
-2 -4
(×10 m) (×10 m²) (m/s)

20 225 30 2.17 2.07 2.02 2.08 3.866 3.81

20 400 30 2.89 2.65 2.73 2.75 2.89 2.88

20 625 30 3.23 3.22 3.54 3.33 2.31 2.38

20 900 30 4.23 4.11 4.21 4.18 1.93 1.89

20 1225 30 5.3 5.15 5.25 5.23 1.66 1.51

Table 4 - Representing Surface Area and Velocity

7.2.2 Velocity Calculation:

Calculation of 𝒗 using modern drag equation Calculation of v using d/t

Equation[2] Equation[11]

𝟕. 𝟗𝟑
𝟐 × 𝟑𝟎 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟑 × 𝟗. 𝟖𝟏 𝑽=
𝒗= 𝟐. 𝟕𝟓
𝟏 × 𝟒𝟎𝟎 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟒 × 𝟏. 𝟕𝟓
𝑽 = 𝟐. 𝟖𝟖(𝐦/𝐬)
𝒗 = 𝟐. 𝟖𝟗(𝐦/𝐬)

Table 5 – Sample calculation for velocity

 22

7.2.3 Absolute Uncertainty:

Surface Area (cm) Velocity (m/s) Absolute uncertainty(±)

15 3.866 0.03

20 2.89 0.01

25 2.31 0.01

30 1.93 0.01

35 1.66 0.01

Table 6 – Velocity and its Absolute Uncertainty

7.2.4 Calculation for Absolute Uncertainty:

Calculation for absolute Uncertainty:

From Equation[2]

1 Δ𝑚 Δ𝑙
Δ𝑣 = ( + )×𝑉
2 𝑚 𝑙

1 0.01 0.1
𝛥𝑣 = ( × + ) × 3.866
2 30 15

Δ𝑣 = 0.026
 23

7.3 Length of the rope and velocity:

7.3.1 The Table showing how the landing time of the parachute changes as the length of

the rope in the parachute changes

Collected Data Processed Data

Length Surface Time Taken for parachute to land(s) 𝑫

𝟐 ∗ 𝒎𝒈 𝑽=
Mass 𝒗= 𝑻
of Rope Area Mean 𝝆𝑨𝑪𝒅
(×10-3kg) Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial3 (m/s)
-2 -4
(×10 m) (×10 m²) (s) (m/s)

15 225 30 2.09 2.03 2.12 2.08 3.86 3.811

20 225 30 2.11 2.13 2.1 2.11 3.86 3.75

35 225 30 2.12 2.1 2.14 2.12 3.86 3.74

30 225 30 2.1 2.11 2.1 2.10 3.86 3.77

35 225 30 2.07 2.04 2.09 2.06 3.86 3.83

Table 7 - variation between length of the rope and Velocity

7.3.2 Calculation for length of the rope and Velocity:

Calculation of 𝒗 using modern drag equation Calculation of v using d/t

Equation[2] Equation[11]

𝟕. 𝟗𝟑
𝟐 × 𝟑𝟎 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟑 × 𝟗. 𝟖𝟏 𝑽=
𝒗= 𝟐. 𝟎𝟖
𝟏 × 𝟐𝟐𝟓 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟒 × 𝟏. 𝟕𝟓
𝑽 = 𝟑. 𝟖𝟏𝟏(𝐦/𝐬)
𝒗 = 𝟑. 𝟖𝟔𝟔(𝐦/𝐬)

Table 4 Sample calculation for length of the rope and velocity

 24

8 Graph

8.1 A graph of Velocity at which the Parachute lands and Mass of the Parachute

8.1.1 Velocity VS Mass

Velocity Vs Mass
6
5 y = 0.051x + 1.209
R² = 0.999
4
Velocity(m/s)

3
Velocity
2
Linear (Velocity)
1
0
0 20 40 60 80
Mass(×10-3kg)

Graph 1 Velocity Vs Mass

8.1.2 Velocity² Vs Mass

Velocity² vs Mass
25
y = 0.364x - 3.099
20 R² = 0.991
Velocity²(m/s)

15
Velocity^2
10
Linear (Velocity^2)
5 Linear (Velocity^2)

0
0 20 40 60 80
Mass(×10-3kg)

Graph 2 Velocity2 Vs Mass

 25

8.2 A graph of Velocity at which the Parachute lands and Surface Area of the Parachute

8.2.1 Velocity Vs Surface Area

Velocity vs Surface Area

4.5
4
3.5
Velocity(m/s)

3
2.5
2
V
1.5 y = 4.329e-9E-0x
1 R² = 0.977 Expon. (V)
0.5
0
0 500 1000 1500
Surface Area(×10-4m²)

Graph 3 Velocity Vs Surface Area

8.2.2 Velocity² Vs surface Area

Velocity² vs Surface Area

16
14
12
Velocity ²(m/s)

10
8
6 v^2
4 Expon. (v^2)
2
0
0 500 1000 1500
Surface Area(×10-4m²)

Graph 4 Velocity2 Vs Surface Area

 26

8.3 A graph of Velocity at which the Parachute lands and length of the rope in the

Parachute

8.3.1 Velocity Vs length of the Rope

Velocity Vs Length of the Rope

5

4 y = 0.001x + 3.751
R² = 0.055
Velocity(m/s)

2 Velocity
Linear (Velocity )
1

0
0 10 20 30 40
Length of the Rope(×10-2m)

Graph 5 Velocity Vs Length of the rope

8.3.2 Velocity² Vs Length of the Rope

Velocity² Vs length of the Rope

20
19
18
17
Velocity ²(m/s)

16 y = 0.008x + 14.07 V²
15 R² = 0.056 Linear (V²)
Linear (V²)
14
13
12
11
10
0 10 20 30 40
Length of the rope(×10-2m)

Graph 6 Velocity2 Vs Length of the rope

 27

9 Determining Drag Coefficient(Cd):

Using Graph [2] the drag coefficient is calculated using the following formula:

2𝑔
𝐶𝑑 = 𝜌𝐴𝑚 𝑚 = 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑝ℎ [2]

2 × 9.81
𝐶𝑑 =
1.204 × 400 × 10−4 × 0.364 × 103

𝐶𝑑 = 1.177

The experimental value of Drag coefficient is determined to be 1.177.

10 Analysis and observation:

10.1 Preliminary Investigation

The first time when the experiment was tried the parachute was dropped from the 13th floor

which was around 43.5 meters above the ground. There were multiple errors while working with

the 13th floor. One of the main factors which kept affecting my data would be the wind. Due to a

high story building being a higher altitude as the parachute falls the wind at higher altitudes are

stronger but in lower story builds are very less and can be counted as negligible. The wind kept

flowing at different knots every time which could cause uncertainties in the experiment. The

wind prevented the parachute from making it dropping straight down, causing inaccurate

measurements. To obtain terminal velocity a height of at least 300 meters and above is required.

Due to the height from where it was dropped decreased the time taken for it to obtain Terminal

velocity was not enough. Due to multiple areas affect my experiment the direction where it was
 28

dropped was changed and was brought it down to the 2nd floor which was around 7.93 meters

above the ground. This helped me control the experiment reducing uncertainties in my

experiment. The effect of wind affects the direction of motion of the parachute the experiment

was repeated more than 3 times. The value which had errors was considered as anomalies and it

was not taken into account while plotting the graph. More number of trials were required to

avoid errors is what is the first observation.

10.2 Analyzing Mass and velocity:

A linear upward trend can be observed when comparing Graph [1] and [2], pointing to a

direct relationship between mass and velocity. Due to the significant correlation value of 0.99,

hypothesis 1 is valid. The Table [1] showing the velocity value for increasing in a trend as mass

also increases. This is a result of the parachute's associated mass acting on it. Increased mass also

results in an increase in the gravitational force exerted on it. The parachute is being pulled over

by the gravitational attraction of the earth during its continuous free fall. For instance, feathers

fall more slowly than heavier objects. The parachutist descends more slowly while the parachute

is open.

10.3 Analyzing Surface Area and Velocity:

An exponential curve that represents a causal connection between surface area and velocity

is evident in Graphs [3] and [4]. Hypothesis 2 was supported and valid by the Graph [3] and

[4], which had substantial, correlation, values of 0.977 and 0.977, respectively. This led to the

finding that when surface area increases, velocity likewise does so, while also the time required
 29

to reach the velocity reduces. Utilizing the current drag equation’s (Equation [2]), which states

that the surface area's square root is inversely proportional to the velocity where drag is

operating. To support the graph and the theory, this also creates an exponential inverse curve

which can be justified with the formula.

10.4 Analyzing Length of the Rope and Velocity:

The subsequent area of analysis would be in relation to the rope's length, velocity, and

elapsed time. Graphs [5] and [6] reveal a significant association with values of 0.055 and 0.056,

therefore invalidating the third hypothesis. The trend line is a straight, horizontal line. This

indicates that the length of the rope has no influence on speed or duration. This is shown by the

absence of the rope's length in the formula. According to the graph, a change in the length of the

rope has no influence on the descent of the parachute, since it is depicted as constant.

11 Conclusion:

The first aim of this investigation was to determine if there were any correlation between the

mass and velocity of the parachute. During free fall the force which acts on the parachute is its

weight, which is determined using the formula 𝑤 = 𝑚 𝑔, where g being the gravitational

constant (9.81), we can say that the weight and mass are directly proportional, so as the mass

increases the weight and the velocity of the object also increases. This is also further shown in

Equation [2], which indicates that the 𝑣 ∝ √𝑚. The next aim of the investigation would be

between the surface Area and the velocity of the falling parachute. When the surface area of the

tarpaulin attached to the parachute was increased the velocity of the falling parachute decreased,

this is due to the drag force acting on the parachute in the opposite direction trying to slow it
 30

1
down. It is proven using the derivation from the Equation [2] where the 𝑣 ∝ . The
𝐴

conclusion made for the relation between length of the rope and velocity is that they don’t have

an effect on the landing time or the velocity. This can be proven using the Graph [5] and Graph

[6]. This point can also be stated where the variable length of the rope is valid in the modern

drag equation Equation [2]. This also helps us come to a conclusion showing that mass and

velocity are directly proportional, Surface Area and Velocity are inversely proportional and

Rope’s length and velocity is not related at all.

12 Evaluation:

12.1 Strengths

 Material of the parachute is controlled with precise measurements

 The length of the Rope was the same one used for all trials to avoid errors

 Multiple trials were taken to improve precession

12.2 Weaknesses

 Control of wind allowing it to change the direction might changed the velocity which

was not possible to have a high control on

 Measuring the height accurately

 The tangling of the rope due to the wind could change the velocity

 The knots of the wind could not be calculated due to the lack of apparatus and high

winds.

 Due to change in the direction of wind the direction of the parachute changes, which

results in change in velocity of the parachute

 31

13 Further Scope:

Analyzing the influence of lateral wind forces would lead to a more detailed investigation of the

forces impacting a body and its parachute. A thorough examination of the numerical elements

impacting a parachute would come from a quantitative investigation of the effect of the

tarpaulin's curvature on the drag coefficient.

 32

14 References

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Transactions on Engineering and Technology Education (2007): 98.

101, TestTube. “How Do Parachutes Work?” YouTube, 3 Sept. 2015,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qg6xxRZWnI4. Accessed 1 June 2022.

Benson, Tom. “Velocity During Recovery.” Nasa, Web, https://www.grc.nasa.gov/www/k-

12/VirtualAero/BottleRocket/airplane/rktvrecv.html. Accessed 12 Aug. 2022.

Buddies, Science. “Skydiving Science: Does the Size of a Parachute Matter?” Scientific

American, Web, 6 Sept. 2012, https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/bring-science-

home-parachute/. Accessed 16 June 2022.

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2019, https://www.robsonforensic.com/articles/wind-engineering-expert-witness.

Accessed 26 May 2022.

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May 2021, https://www.grc.nasa.gov/www/k-12/airplane/termv.html. Accessed 29 May

2022.

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University-Purdue University Fort Wayne Fort Wayne,: World Transactions on

Engineering and Technology Education, 2007, pp. 97–100. Accessed 7 July 2022.

“New GCSE Add’l Science OCR Gateway SB.” Connect.Collins.Co.Uk, Web,

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 33

Physics, Flipping. “What Is Terminal Velocity? How Do We Find It?” Youtube, 30 Nov. 2020,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVFi5Pvhq9g. Accessed 7 Aug. 2022.

Remmerie, Wouter. “What Is a Drag Coefficient?” AirShaper, 12 Sept. 2018,

https://airshaper.com/videos/what-is-a-drag-coefficient/bEgoZ_dAg7o. Accessed 7 July

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https://wright.nasa.gov/airplane/drageq.html. Accessed 10 June 2022.

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