G-force of wind on a persons body.

[cjjjohn2469]

After doing some work with a painter friend we were coming home and I put my arm outside of the window as we were going 70 miles an hour. Wondering what the g-forces would be on my arms and hand?

Thank you

 

[CWatters]

There would be no g-force on your arm...

Presumably your arm didn't disappear behind that car and you were able to hold it out in a more or less stable position? In that case you will feel a force on it due to drag, but it's a constant force not an acceleration so the "g-force" would be zero.

If the airstream was turbulent and your arm flapped up and down then there would be acceleration. Quite hard to quantify though.

 

[CWatters]

Thinking about it some more I suppose you could say that the force due to drag _feels_ like the force due to gravity. I'd estimate it as equivalent to 3-5g.

 

[cjjjohn2469]

Thank you for your reply and explanation you gave. I was just curious and you satisfied that curious thread. Thank you.

 

[pmacias]

for sharing your experience and question. I can provide some insight into the g-forces experienced by your arm and hand while sticking it out of a car window at 70 miles per hour.

First, it is important to understand what g-force is. G-force is a measurement of the force exerted on an object due to acceleration. It is typically measured in units of acceleration, such as meters per second squared (m/s^2).

In this scenario, your arm and hand are experiencing a combination of two types of g-forces: centrifugal force and drag force. Centrifugal force is the force that pulls an object away from the center of rotation, while drag force is the force exerted by the air on your arm as it moves through it.

The exact g-forces experienced by your arm and hand will depend on a few factors, such as the shape and size of your arm, the angle at which it is held outside the window, and the density and speed of the air. However, for simplicity, we can estimate the average g-force using some basic calculations.

Assuming your arm is about 1 meter long and held at a 90-degree angle outside the window, the average g-force experienced by your arm and hand would be approximately 0.5 g, or 4.9 m/s^2. This may seem like a relatively low force, but it is important to remember that your arm is constantly being bombarded by this force as the car moves forward at 70 miles per hour.

In comparison, a person riding a rollercoaster may experience g-forces of up to 5 g's, or 49 m/s^2, during sudden drops or turns. This is significantly higher than the g-forces experienced by your arm and hand out of a car window.

It is also worth noting that sticking your arm out of a car window at high speeds can be dangerous, as the force of the wind can potentially cause your arm to be pulled back or even cause injury. It is always important to prioritize safety and follow any laws or guidelines regarding sticking limbs out of moving vehicles.

In conclusion, the g-forces experienced by your arm and hand sticking out of a car window at 70 miles per hour would be approximately 0.5 g's. While this may not seem like a significant force, it is important to consider the potential dangers and prioritize safety while traveling at high speeds.