Understanding the physics of world's fastest non-motorized sport

Narit Pidokrajt

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arXiv · 2105.08041

Understanding the physics of world's fastest non-motorized sport

Narit Pidokrajt

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Abstract

The main objective of this article is to describe the physics of Speed Skydiving, world's fastest non-motorized sport practiced under FAI -- F\'ed\'eration A\'eronautique Internationale (World Air Sports Federation), a recognized body by the International Olympic Committee -- with the help of standard physics and mathematics taught during the first or second year for undergraduate students in physics worldwide. Although this discipline of air sports has been around since the middle of the 1990s and has been a part of major international sport events, it is not yet well-known to the wider public and has not been addressed thoroughly in physics textbooks as the physics of various other sports. It is hoped that this paper will introduce and engage physics teachers/instructors new to this air sport discipline -- pedagogically. University or high school students may find this article helpful while studying a subject of terminal speeds, which is thoroughly discussed herein. This article can also serve as a background for further studies in physics of skydiving and aerodynamics.

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Narit Pidokrajt. 2021-05-17. Understanding the physics of world's fastest non-motorized sport. https://arxiv.org/abs/2105.08041

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