The Effect of Gravity on the Human Body Essay Example

only take about -3 g before experiencing a red out. Humans can survive up to about 20 to 35 g instantaneously, for a very short period of time.

Any exposure to around 100 g or more, even if momentary, is likely to be lethal, although the record is 179 g. The human body is much better at handling extreme acceleration in the horizontal plane (e. g., when Jesse rides a nitro bike) than in the vertical plane (e. g., getting in a dogfight in an F-16.) Extreme forward acceleration pushes the body backward with such force that it results in a condition that pilots and drag racers call "eyeballs in. ” Extreme backward acceleration pushes the body forwards with such force that it results in a condition that pilots and drag racers call "eyeballs out. The human body is much better at handling extreme-forward acceleration – about 17 g – compared to backward acceleration – about 12 g. Typical amusement park rides such as roller coasters typically do not expose the occupants too much more than about 3 g for more than around three seconds at the most. The current record for max g produced by an amusement park ride is 6. 3 g, held by the “Tower of Terror” at Gold Reef City in Johannesburg.

U. S. Air Force Colonel John Stapp sustained 46 g in a 1954 rocket sled test while conducting research on the effects of human deceleration. Indy Car driver Kenny Brack went airborne on lap 188 of the 2003 race at Texas Motor Speedway and hit a steel support beam going approximately 200 MPH.

His car’s accident recorder recorded a g force at

the impact of 214 g.

Symptoms of Excessive G-Force 3 to 4 g  Difficulty breathing due to rib cage being pressed against lungs 4 to 5 g – Loss of vision 5 to 6 g – Blackout / Red out / g-LOC Prolonged exposure to excessive yet non-lethal g-force often results in the bursting of blood vessels in the face, creating rashes called "geezers. ” Being pushed back into their seat repeatedly also often results in pilots and race car drivers having bruised buttocks.