A 555-g squirrel with a surface area of 945 cm2 falls from a 6.0-m tree to the ground. Estimate its terminal velocity. (Use the drag coefficient for a horizontal skydiver. Assume that the cross-sectional area of the squirrel can be approximated as a rectangle of width 11.6 cm and length 23.2 cm. Note, the squirrel may not reach terminal velocity by the time it hits the ground. Give the squirrel's terminal velocity, not it's velocity as it hits the ground.)

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To estimate the squirrel's terminal velocity, we will need to calculate the drag force acting on it and equate it to the gravitational force.

Step 1: Calculate the cross-sectional area (A) of the squirrel:
We are given the width and length of the squirrel as 11.6 cm and 23.2 cm, respectively. The cross-sectional area can be obtained by multiplying these two dimensions:
A = width * length = 11.6 cm * 23.2 cm = 268.32 cm²

Step 2: Convert the cross-sectional area to square meters:
To convert cm² to m², divide by 10000:
A = 268.32 cm² ÷ 10000 = 0.026832 m²

Step 3: Calculate the drag force (F_drag):
The drag force can be calculated using the formula F_drag = 0.5 * ρ * v² * C_d * A, where:
- ρ is the air density (which we can approximate as 1.2 kg/m³)
- v is the velocity of the squirrel
- C_d is the drag coefficient for a horizontal skydiver (which we are not given)

Since the squirrel is not at terminal velocity yet, we will assume its velocity is still changing and therefore, the drag force is not equal to the gravitational force.

Step 4: Calculate the gravitational force (F_gravity):
The gravitational force (F_gravity) can be calculated using the formula F_gravity = m * g, where:
- m is the mass of the squirrel (555 g = 0.555 kg)
- g is the acceleration due to gravity (approximately 9.8 m/s²)

F_gravity = 0.555 kg * 9.8 m/s² = 5.439 N

Step 5: Equate the drag force to the gravitational force and solve for velocity (v):
Since the squirrel is not at terminal velocity yet, we cannot set F_drag = F_gravity. However, we can assume that at terminal velocity, F_drag = F_gravity.

0.5 * ρ * v² * C_d * A = 5.439 N

Step 6: Estimate the squirrel's terminal velocity (v):
Unfortunately, we cannot estimate the squirrel's terminal velocity without the drag coefficient (C_d). Without this information, it is not possible to calculate the squirrel's terminal velocity accurately.

To estimate the terminal velocity accurately, you will need to know the drag coefficient, which is not provided in the question. The drag coefficient varies depending on the shape, orientation, and surface characteristics of the object. Without this information, it is impossible to make an accurate estimate of the squirrel's terminal velocity.

Keep in mind that terminal velocity occurs when the drag force and gravitational force are in equilibrium, resulting in a net force of zero and a constant velocity.