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        riddles >> what happened >> Terminal velocity
        
(Message started by: alien2 on Aug 8th, 2016, 12:31pm)
Title: Terminal velocity
Post by alien2 on Aug 8th, 2016, 12:31pm
A skydiver jumps out of a plane and reaches terminal velocity in freefall. However, his terminal velocity decreases even though there were no air currents and he wasn’t freeflying. What happened?
Title: Re: Terminal velocity
Post by dudiobugtron on Aug 8th, 2016, 3:32pm
I guess it depends on how brave the skydiver is.  If he is merely quite brave, then [hide]he deployed his parachute[/hide].

However, perhaps if he is very brave, then [hide]he landed[/hide] instead!
Title: Re: Terminal velocity
Post by alien2 on Aug 9th, 2016, 12:55am
I meant that at some point he still has terminal velocity but somehow it happens to be slower than the initial terminal velocity. Science is not my thing but I am sure you get what I'm talking about. Needless to say the riddle has omitted facts and it happens to be not exactly an ordinary situation and with a certain coincidence.    
Title: Re: Terminal velocity
Post by towr on Aug 9th, 2016, 8:48am
[hide]Air is denser the lower you get, therefore the terminal velocity is lower. And it also depends on your position. Head-first and arms at your side you get a higher velocity than with your body into the wind and arms and legs outstretched.[/hide]
Title: Re: Terminal velocity
Post by alien2 on Aug 9th, 2016, 8:57am
I guess I am ignorant after all in that, I failed to mention that terminal velocity was significantly slower later on.
Title: Re: Terminal velocity
Post by dudiobugtron on Aug 10th, 2016, 3:29pm

on 08/09/16 at 00:55:26, alien2 wrote:
I meant that at some point he still has terminal velocity but somehow it happens to be slower than the initial terminal velocity. 

[hide]Zero is not slow enough for you?[/hide] ;)

As for my next guess; [hide]The skydiver is actually a 'bungee jumper'[/hide]
Title: Re: Terminal velocity
Post by alien2 on Aug 10th, 2016, 4:50pm
Nope.

I'm afraid the riddle has [hide]a tragic end.[/hide]
Title: Re: Terminal velocity
Post by alien2 on Aug 16th, 2016, 4:26am

on 08/10/16 at 15:29:55, dudiobugtron wrote:
[hide]Zero is not slow enough for you?[/hide] ;)

I'm sorry. You're not speaking my language. For a moment there I thought you was referring to a Japanese plane.  
Title: Re: Terminal velocity
Post by Grimbal on Aug 19th, 2016, 8:57am
He used the ejectable seat.   He fell UP, reached the top of the free-fall curve and then fell down.

I am not sure that counts as terminal velocity before the speed is stabilized.


Or maybe he vomit in mid-air.  Less weight and same surface gives lower terminal velocity.
Title: Re: Terminal velocity
Post by alien2 on Aug 19th, 2016, 12:24pm

on 08/19/16 at 08:57:26, Grimbal wrote:
He used the ejectable seat.   He fell UP, reached the top of the free-fall curve and then fell down.

This answer made me laugh. I needn't tell you it is ultimately incorrect.  
Title: Re: Terminal velocity
Post by dudiobugtron on Aug 19th, 2016, 11:46pm
Perhaps the man was [hide]on another planet.  For example, Jupiter.[/hide]
Title: Re: Terminal velocity
Post by alien2 on Aug 20th, 2016, 2:10am

on 08/19/16 at 23:46:15, dudiobugtron wrote:
Perhaps the man was [hide]on another planet.  For example, Jupiter.[/hide]

He needn't be [hide]on another planet[/hide] to produce the effect you are looking for. See what I mean?
Title: Re: Terminal velocity
Post by dudiobugtron on Aug 20th, 2016, 3:01am
Oh, I think I see!

[hide]The man doesn't stop falling when he reaches ground level, and instead continues to fall through a (very unlikely) hole in the ground.[/hide]

[hide]Or, perhaps, the hole he fell through was a wormhole, which took him to somewhere with much denser air.[/hide]
Title: Re: Terminal velocity
Post by alien2 on Aug 20th, 2016, 3:42am
It ain't [hide]a hole in the ground or a wormhole.[/hide] But keep thinking like that.


The clue: [hide]The man had to jump out of the plane. He had no choice.[/hide]
Title: Re: Terminal velocity
Post by towr on Aug 20th, 2016, 1:07pm
[hide]He hit water?[/hide]
Title: Re: Terminal velocity
Post by alien2 on Aug 20th, 2016, 1:12pm

on 08/20/16 at 13:07:49, towr wrote:
[hide]He hit water?[/hide]

Yep. [hide]He died in the ocean where he reached terminal velocity.[/hide]


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