9556 /www/nrich/html/content/id/9556/ 1 2012-10-18T10:16:13 <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> <mdoxml version="1.0">On October 14th 2012, Felix Baumgartner made a world record breaking parachute jump from 39,045 metres. Here are some questions his jump provoked for us: <ul> <li>As Felix stepped from the capsule at a height of 39km, approximately what proportion of the Earth&#39;s surface could he see?</li> <li>Felix landed 9 minutes and 3 seconds after jumping. How much quicker would an object in freefall all the way down (ie without a parachute) land?</li> <li>Can you estimate the maximum speed Felix reached before opening his parachute after 4 minutes and 19 seconds of freefall?</li> </ul> To answer these questions, you will need to make certain modelling assumptions and you will need to do some research. Send us your best estimates together with explanations of the mathematical methods you used and the assumptions you made. If you think of any other interesting questions and manage to answer them, share those with us too!<br></br></mdoxml> <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> <mdoxml version="1.0"><h3>Why do this problem?</h3> This problem encourages students to consider the maths behind the world record breaking parachute jump by Felix Baumgartner on October 14th 2012. The context can lead to many engaging questions, a few of which are suggested in the problem.<br></br> <h3>Possible approach</h3> Begin by showing one of the video clips from Felix&#39;s jump - they are available on the <a href="http://www.redbullstratos.com/">Red Bull Stratos</a> website.<br></br> <br></br> "What mathematical questions does the video prompt for you?"<br></br> Give students some time to discuss and share their ideas, and write up their questions on the board. If suggestions aren&#39;t forthcoming, the following are suggested in the problem: <ul> <li>As Felix stepped from the capsule at 39km, what proportion of the Earth&#39;s surface could he see?</li> <li>Felix landed 9 minutes and 3 seconds after jumping. How much quicker would an object in freefall all the way down (ie without a parachute) land?</li> <li>Can you estimate the maximum speed Felix reached before opening his parachute after 4 minutes and 19 seconds of freefall?</li> </ul> <em>Of course, if you have a particular topic in mind, you could choose to share just one of these questions with the class and work on that.</em><br></br> <br></br> Once students have decided on a question to work on, they will need to do some modelling and research in order to answer their question. Here are some useful facts from the jump:<br></br> Height of jump: 39,045 m<br></br> Time spent in freefall: 4 minutes 22 seconds<br></br> Total jump time: 9 minutes 9 seconds<br></br> <br></br> Radius of earth: 6378km<br></br> <h3>Possible extension</h3> <a href="/5952">Escape from Planet Earth</a><br></br> <h3>Possible support</h3> <a href="/5987">Cannon Balls</a><br></br></mdoxml> 2 3 0 0 0 0 1 On October 14th 2012, Felix Baumgartner made a world record breaking parachute jump. Can you figure out the numbers behind his jump?