Impact of Parachute Shape on Falling Object Speed

Abstract

This experiment aims to investigate how different shapes of parachutes affect the speed of a falling object. The study hypothesizes that the circular parachute would result in the slowest falling speed when compared to rectangular and square parachutes, assuming constant variables such as weight, height, material, and surface area. The experiment involved dropping a 5.6-gram weight from an 8-meter height with various parachute shapes, measuring the time of descent and calculating velocity. The results showed that the rectangular parachute had the slowest descent speed, contrary to the initial hypothesis.

Introduction

The purpose of this experiment is to examine the influence of parachute shape on the speed of a falling object. Parachutes are essential tools in various fields, from recreational skydiving to cargo delivery and scientific research. Understanding how different parachute shapes affect descent speed is valuable in optimizing parachute design for specific applications. This study specifically investigates the effect of parachute shape on the speed of a falling 5.6-gram weight when dropped from a height of 8 meters.

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Research Question

What impact does the shape of the parachute have on reducing the speed of a falling object?

Hypothesis

In this experiment, it is hypothesized that when a 5.6-gram weight is dropped from an 8-meter height, the circular parachute will result in the slowest falling speed compared to rectangular and square parachutes. This hypothesis is based on the assumption that all other variables, such as weight, height, material, and surface area of the parachutes, remain constant. The circular parachute is expected to experience greater air resistance due to its larger surface area, resulting in a slower descent.

Variables

• Independent Variable (IV): Shape of the parachute
• Dependent Variable (DV): Speed of the falling object
• Control Variables (CV):
• Weight of the falling object: To ensure accuracy, the same 5.6-gram weight is used for all tests.
• Height of the fall: The experiments are conducted from an 8-meter height to maintain consistency.
• Material of the parachute: The same type of thin paper is used for all parachutes to prevent variations in air resistance.
• Surface Area of the parachute: The surface area of each parachute shape is measured and kept consistent.

Materials

Hazards

Method

1. Start by drawing three shapes on thin paper: a 20cmx20cm square, a 10cmx40cm rectangle, and a circle with a radius of 11.3cm, ensuring that all three shapes have the same surface area.
2. Attach a piece of string to the 10g weight, repeating this process for all six strings.
3. Create small incisions at the corners of each shape for the attachment of strings. For the circular parachute, make incisions at equally spaced points along the circumference.
4. Tie one end of a string to an incision on each parachute shape.
5. With the parachutes prepared, have a friend climb an 8-meter height and drop one parachute while you use a stopwatch to time its descent.
6. Record the time taken for descent.
7. Repeat steps 5 and 6 two more times for each parachute shape, conducting three trials in total.
8. Calculate the average time for each parachute shape.
9. Calculate the velocity for each parachute shape using the formula: (v = frac{d}{t}), where (v) is velocity, (d) is distance (8 meters), and (t) is the average time.

Results

The following table displays the raw data and the averages of the time (s) it takes for a 5.6g weight to fall from an 8m height with different shaped parachutes:

The table below shows the calculated speed (velocity) of a 5.6g weight falling from an 8m height with different shaped parachutes:

Discussion

The results indicate that the rectangular parachute had the slowest descent speed, with an average velocity of 2.01 m/s². The circular parachute had the second slowest descent speed, with an average velocity of 1.65 m/s², while the square parachute had the fastest descent speed, with an average velocity of 1.57 m/s².

Hypothesis Evaluation

The initial hypothesis proposed that the circular parachute would result in the slowest falling speed due to its larger surface area. However, the experimental results did not support this hypothesis. The rectangular parachute, despite having the same surface area, exhibited the slowest descent speed. This unexpected outcome suggests that factors other than surface area, such as shape and air resistance, played a significant role in determining the parachute's performance. Further investigation is needed to understand these factors in more detail.

Method Evaluation

The method used in this experiment provided a reliable approach to collect data on the impact of parachute shape on falling object speed. It specified the procedures for conducting trials and calculating velocity. However, there is room for improvement in the method. For instance, providing the formulas to calculate the surface area of each parachute shape and the measurements used to create the shapes would enhance the clarity of the procedure. Additionally, the experiment could benefit from conducting more trials (e.g., five trials instead of three) to increase the accuracy of the results.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the hypothesis that the circular parachute would result in the slowest falling speed was not supported by the experimental results. The rectangular parachute exhibited the slowest descent speed, indicating that factors beyond surface area played a significant role in parachute performance. These findings highlight the complexity of parachute design and the need for further research to understand the interplay of variables affecting parachute performance.

Limitations

The experiment had several limitations that may have influenced the results:

• Not enough trials: Conducting only three trials for each parachute shape may have introduced variability in the results. Performing more trials would improve the accuracy of the data.
• Different surface areas: Despite efforts to make the surface area of each parachute shape consistent, variations may have occurred due to the inherent differences in shape. Calculating the measurements precisely to maintain surface area uniformity would address this limitation.
• Incorrect timing: Timing the parachute drops by human hand may have introduced timing errors. Using a robot programmed to release the parachute upon stopwatch initiation would eliminate human timing errors.

Bibliography

1. San Jose Skydiving Center. "What Shape Is a Parachute?" Available at: https://sanjoseskydivingcenter.com/dropzone/skydiving-articles/what-shape-is-a-parachute
2. Universe Today. "What Is Air Resistance?" Available at: https://www.universetoday.com/73315/what-is-air-resistance/