A skydiver has jumped out of a plane and is falling faster and faster.

What forces are present in this situation?

Responses

gravity, air resistance, and normal force

gravity, air resistance, and normal force

air resistance

air resistance

gravity and air resistance

gravity and air resistance

gravity

1 answer

In the situation of a skydiver falling through the air, the relevant forces are:

Gravity and air resistance.

  1. Gravity: This is the force that pulls the skydiver down towards the Earth.
  2. Air resistance: Also known as drag, this force opposes the motion of the skydiver as they fall through the air.

The normal force does not apply in this scenario because the skydiver is not in contact with a surface that would exert a normal force.

Therefore, the correct response is gravity and air resistance.