Parachuting

This applet simulates a parachuter's vertical velocity with an exponential curve. Time, t, is measured in seconds and velocity (which is negative since the jumper is dropping), v, is measured in meters per second. In the starting graph, note that initial velocity is zero (the parachuter has just stepped from the plane) and after several seconds the velocity is near the "terminal" velocity of -4 meters per second. With the sliders at the bottom of the applet, adjust the three parameters a, b, and c in the equation v = a*exp(b*t)+c and see the resulting graph. (Note that the independent variable t is measured horizontally and dependent variable v is measured vertically).

See how adjusting each parameter's slider affects the graph. Can you predict what will happen ahead of time? When you think you have a good feel for how these are related, try filling in the "lab report" for the exponential.

The code for the applet above is online.

Here is a picture of a member of the Navy parachute team, the "Leap Frogs", approaching the landing spot at the National Scout Jamboree, Fort A.P. Hill, Va., Aug. 2, 1997. (U.S. Navy photo by Journalist 3rd Class Brian Eckard, U.S. Navy Recruiting Command, Washington, D.C.)

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USNA Mathematics Department
Comments to: Professor Carol G. Crawford, at cgc@nadn.navy.mil or Professor Mark D. Meyerson, at mdm@nadn.navy.mil