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Q: What direction is the net force on a falling skydiver before she reaches terminal vilocity?
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Is it true that the steady speed reached by a skydiver is called the terminal velocity?

Yes. Not just a skydiver; anything that falls long enough will eventually reach "terminal velocity", which means that it will continue falling at a constant speed, because the force of gravity and the force of air resistance are in balance.


Does it mean a skydiver is slowing down if the acceleration of the skydiver decreases as falling progresses?

No.Acceleration is a measure of the rate of change of velocity (speed & direction). If acceleration is decreasing (but still above zero) then this means that the rate at which the speed is increasing in this direction is decreasing.As long as the downward acceleration is greater than zero then the skydiver's speed is still increasing.Once terminal velocity is reached then downward acceleration will equal zero (speed is constant).If the downward acceleration falls below zero (as will happen once his parachute is deployed for instance) then this means he is slowing down.


What happens to a moving object with zero nets force acting on it?

Certainly. Say you have an object that has been falling through the air for a long time, say a skydiver. After falling for a long time, the skydiver will fall at a constant velocity. This is called terminal velocity, and this is when the air resistance pushing up around the skydiver is equal to the force of gravity pulling the skydiver down. The skydiver is not accelerating. By using F= ma, with zero acceleration, there is zero net force. The skydiver is moving as if there are no forces acting on the skydiver.


Why won't a skydiver's speed continue to increase until his or her parachute opens?

Once a skydiver jumps off the plane, they will begin picking up speed. However, as the speed of the skydiver increases, the amount of air resistance acting upon them will also increase. The skydiver will continue to accelerate while his or her weight is greater than the air resistance. When the force of the air resistance becomes equal to the weight of the skydiver, the skydiver will stop accelerating and will continue falling at a constant speed, this is known as the terminal velocity. While travelling at terminal velocity, the skydiver will be able to adjust his or her body position in a way that will increase or decrease the air resistance and allow the diver to alter their speed. Releasing his or her parachute will drastically increase the amount of air resistance and therefore slow their descent significantly.


How does an open parachute increase the air resistance of a falling skydiver?

by increasing surface area

Related questions

Is it true that the steady speed reached by a skydiver is called the terminal velocity?

Yes. Not just a skydiver; anything that falls long enough will eventually reach "terminal velocity", which means that it will continue falling at a constant speed, because the force of gravity and the force of air resistance are in balance.


What direction is the net on a falling shy driver before she reaches terminal?

down


Does it mean a skydiver is slowing down if the acceleration of the skydiver decreases as falling progresses?

No.Acceleration is a measure of the rate of change of velocity (speed & direction). If acceleration is decreasing (but still above zero) then this means that the rate at which the speed is increasing in this direction is decreasing.As long as the downward acceleration is greater than zero then the skydiver's speed is still increasing.Once terminal velocity is reached then downward acceleration will equal zero (speed is constant).If the downward acceleration falls below zero (as will happen once his parachute is deployed for instance) then this means he is slowing down.


what force is increased after the skydiver open parachute?

To start with there is gravitational attraction. As soon as the skydiver starts falling, (s)he will experience the drag force due to air resistance. The gravitational force is essentially constant but the drag increases as the diver's velocity increases until it equals gravity. The diver is the falling at terminal velocity and will continue to do so until the parachute is operated.


When the upward and downward forces on a falling object or changes its direction is called an?

Terminal Velocity.


What happens to a moving object with zero nets force acting on it?

Certainly. Say you have an object that has been falling through the air for a long time, say a skydiver. After falling for a long time, the skydiver will fall at a constant velocity. This is called terminal velocity, and this is when the air resistance pushing up around the skydiver is equal to the force of gravity pulling the skydiver down. The skydiver is not accelerating. By using F= ma, with zero acceleration, there is zero net force. The skydiver is moving as if there are no forces acting on the skydiver.


Is it possible for the sky diver in this picture to be falling at a constant velocity?

Any skydiver can fall at a constant velocity. This is called the, "Terminal velocity". Since we do not have the picture that you mention, nothing more can be assumed.


Are the direction of the velocity and acceleration of a falling body the same?

For the most part, yes; once at terminal velocity, there is no acceleration, so it has direction.


Why won't a skydiver's speed continue to increase until his or her parachute opens?

Once a skydiver jumps off the plane, they will begin picking up speed. However, as the speed of the skydiver increases, the amount of air resistance acting upon them will also increase. The skydiver will continue to accelerate while his or her weight is greater than the air resistance. When the force of the air resistance becomes equal to the weight of the skydiver, the skydiver will stop accelerating and will continue falling at a constant speed, this is known as the terminal velocity. While travelling at terminal velocity, the skydiver will be able to adjust his or her body position in a way that will increase or decrease the air resistance and allow the diver to alter their speed. Releasing his or her parachute will drastically increase the amount of air resistance and therefore slow their descent significantly.


How fast do skydivers fall through the the air?

A skydiver, falling without an open parachute, will reach a terminal velocity of approx 200 km per hour (55 metres/second).


What is the net force on a falling object when it reaches terminal velocity?

An object falling at terminal velocity is moving at constant speed (that's what terminal velocity means) and we will assume it is not changing direction (i.e. it is falling straight down; in reality it is more likely to be bobbing and weaving on the wind.) Constant speed and direction is another way of saying constant velocity. when an object is acted upon by a net force, it's velocity changes. So, since we know that the velocity is not changing, there is no force.


How does an open parachute increase the air resistance of a falling skydiver?

by increasing surface area