Question

Two skydivers of different masses jump from a plane. In three to five short sentences, explain how their falls compare, including the effects of gravity, mass, and air resistance like an 8th grader.

Answer 1

When two skydivers jump from a plane, gravity pulls them down at the same rate, regardless of their mass. This means both of them start falling at the same speed because gravity affects all objects equally. However, as they fall, air resistance pushes up against them, which can affect their speed. The skydiver with the larger mass might fall slightly faster because they experience the force of gravity more strongly, but since air resistance also depends on surface area, the lighter skydiver could slow down more than the heavier one. In the end, if they both reach terminal velocity, they will fall at a constant speed until they open their parachutes.