Someone tells you that the lone skydiver in the picture must be lighter than the others because they are so far behind. They believe that the heavier skydivers fall faster because of their extra mass. Do you agree or disagree with this person? Explain your reasoning by comparing the effects that gravity has on objects that fall.

Question

and my answer is i disagree because the lone person is by himself the others on the other hand is holding hands so that makes them go going even faster how can i make this better

Answer 1

Your answer is on the right track, but it can be improved by providing a clearer explanation and addressing the principles of gravity and air resistance. Here’s a refined version of your response:

"I disagree with the idea that the lone skydiver must be lighter than the others simply because they are falling behind. In free fall, all objects experience the same gravitational acceleration regardless of their mass. This means that in a vacuum, they would all fall at the same rate. However, when skydivers are falling through the atmosphere, air resistance comes into play.

The lone skydiver is falling solo, while the other skydivers are linked together, which increases their surface area. This can create more drag due to air resistance, causing them to slow down slightly compared to the lone skydiver. Therefore, it's possible for the lone skydiver to fall faster than the group despite what might seem like a distance gap.

In summary, weight does not determine falling speed in free fall; gravitational acceleration is constant. The differences in their falling speeds are likely due to the effects of air resistance and their formation in the sky."

This explanation clarifies the principles of gravity and air resistance while effectively addressing the misconception.