ERIC Number: EJ1013779
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2013-Mar
Pages: 9
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0031-9120
EISSN: N/A
Supersonic Freefall--A Modern Adventure as a Topic for the Physics Class
Theilmann, Florian; Apolin, Martin
Physics Education, v48 n2 p150-158 Mar 2013
This paper investigates some of the physics behind the remarkable
supersonic freefall of Felix Baumgartner accomplished with the "Red Bull
Stratos" project on 14 October 2012. The underlying problem is complex: a
freefall with air resistance through a medium of changing density. We
developed a model for the motion within the framework of classroom
physics and present a numerical approach for the dynamic solution that can
be implemented by students. Our approach provides both interesting
qualitative insights and accurate quantitative results for the resulting speed. (Contains 5 figures.)
Descriptors: Science Instruction, Physics, Motion, Scientific Principles, Foreign Countries, Equations (Mathematics), Spreadsheets, Simulation
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Austria
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A