KS3 / KS4 Physics - The physics of free fall

This film is from the series The Science of a Space Dive available on BBC Teach.

In 2012, Austrian dare devil, Felix Baumgartner, performed a record-breaking and historic skydive from the stratosphere to land in New Mexico

Baumgartner’s team had to anticipate the risks of falling from high altitude.

Their biggest fear was, that as Felix fell, he could become locked in a flat spin and lose consciousness. A flat spin could have been caused by his body becoming aerodynamically unbalanced, sending him into a rotation that he might not be able to escape. If his head was at the centre of the spin, the g-force would pull the blood out of his brain, causing a blackout. If his feet were at the centre of the spin, the blood would pool in his head, causing a red-out or an aneurysm.

Teacher Notes

The clip could be used to stimulate a discussions about gravity, free fall, air resistance and terminal velocity. Can they think of any other times when these dangers need to be overcome?

Curriculum Notes

This clip could be relevant to teaching Science at KS3 and KS4 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and at National 4/5 or Higher in Scotland.

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