Hitting Water at Terminal Velocity

In summary, hitting a body of water at the terminal velocity of a person of average proportions without any special clothing on, such as a jumpsuit, would likely result in death. The impact would be equivalent to hitting a solid object at high speeds. However, there are some survival techniques that could potentially increase the chances of survival, such as minimizing the amount of water to be shifted and ensuring that non-vital organs are struck first. The minimum speed for serious injury is around 60 mph, but at terminal velocity of around 200 mph, survival is highly unlikely.
  • #1
dav2008
Gold Member
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What would happen if you hit a body of water( say an ocean) at the terminal velocity of a person of avg proportions without any special clothing on..just like a jumpsuit? (how would it change for Feet first/head first/belly flop/at an angle etc?)
 
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  • #2
Originally posted by dav2008
What would happen if you hit a body of water( say an ocean) at the terminal velocity of a person of avg proportions without any special clothing on..just like a jumpsuit? (how would it change for Feet first/head first/belly flop/at an angle etc?)

Death.

Terminal velocity is about 200mph. Hitting ANYTHING at 200mph is basically instadeath.
 
  • #3
Then again, there are stories of people who have survived such falls...
 
  • #4
Originally posted by dav2008
(how would it change for Feet first/head first/belly flop/at an angle etc?)

Headfirst/Feetfirst, about 200mph. Belly flop; about 90.
 
  • #5
At less than terminal velocity, you might want to consider hitting concrete instead if you can. It compresses. Water on the other hand, has a very low compressability at such speeds. There is a trick people do for diving very high heights. Drop a fairly heavy object before you to break the surface tension. But ya, at terminal velocity your probably going to be killed no matter what you hit.
 
  • #6
A human will die at hitting the water at a minimum of 60 mph. Water has a very strong surface tension, trust me I've hit it at about 40 mph, it hurts like hell.
 
  • #7
It hurts at 5MPH. But maybe I'm not that tough.
 
  • #8
Originally posted by MrCaN
A human will die at hitting the water at a minimum of 60 mph. Water has a very strong surface tension, trust me I've hit it at about 40 mph, it hurts like hell.

It's nowt to do with the surface tension and all to do with inertia - basically shifting the water out of the way fast enough - 'added mass' is the term when shifting liquids. If you can minimise the amount to be shifted, and ensure that it is struck by a non-vital organ (i.e hands and not head) then you increase your survival chances. That's what a high diver would do.

I doubt whether you'd survive a 200 mph impact under any circumstances.
 
  • #9


Originally posted by LURCH
Headfirst/Feetfirst, about 200mph. Belly flop; about 90.

More like 250 mph and 140 mph.
 
  • #10
Originally posted by FZ+
Then again, there are stories of people who have survived such falls...

Yes, when they hit 30-50 ft of snow or in similar circumstances.

Basicly serious inguries start at a=20g and practically no one survives beyong 30g acceleration.

One can easily calculate required braking distance s=v2/2a for any velocity v and maximal braking acceleration a. For 200 mph and a=25g you get minimal braking distance to be about 17 m (~50 ft).
 

1. How fast is terminal velocity when hitting water?

Terminal velocity when hitting water can vary depending on the height from which the object is falling, the shape and size of the object, and the density of the water. On average, terminal velocity for a human-sized object falling from a great height is about 120-130 miles per hour.

2. Is hitting water at terminal velocity fatal?

Yes, hitting water at terminal velocity can be fatal. The impact of hitting water at high speeds can cause severe injuries such as broken bones, concussions, and internal damage. The chances of survival depend on various factors such as the height of the fall and the position of the body upon impact.

3. Can an object survive hitting water at terminal velocity?

It is possible for some objects to survive hitting water at terminal velocity, depending on their shape, size, and composition. For example, a small and sturdy object like a pebble or a bullet may not experience enough force to cause significant damage upon impact with water at terminal velocity.

4. How does the surface tension of water affect hitting water at terminal velocity?

The surface tension of water can play a significant role in the impact of hitting water at terminal velocity. The surface tension of water is the force that holds the water molecules together, and it can make the water appear more solid than it actually is. This can increase the force of impact when hitting the water and potentially cause more severe injuries.

5. Are there any ways to minimize the impact of hitting water at terminal velocity?

There are a few ways to minimize the impact of hitting water at terminal velocity, such as entering the water feet first or in a diving position with arms and legs close to the body. This can help reduce the surface area and decrease the force of impact. Additionally, wearing protective gear such as a wetsuit or a life jacket can also help mitigate injuries from hitting water at high speeds.

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