Abstract

MANTILLA, Ignacio; OCHOA, Fredy  and  MARTINEZ, Roberto. Some historical and physical aspects of the height of the Tequendama Falls from Humboldt data. Rev. acad. colomb. cienc. exact. fis. nat. [online]. 2016, vol.40, n.157, pp.580-584. ISSN 0370-3908.  https://doi.org/10.18257/raccefyn.392.

We examined the historical description reported by Humboldt to measure the height of the Tequendama Falls using the falling bodies approach. With his data, we estimated the height taking into account different corrections. Under ideal conditions, our calculations were compatible with the value given by Humboldt. We calculated the time sound took from the bottom to the top of the falls and we obtained a value consistent with the current data up to one standard deviation. Our estimations were closer to the most recent data when we took into account friction due to air in a turbulent scenario.

Keywords : Tequendama falls; Falling bodies.

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