Question

Two skydivers of different masses jump from a plane. In three to five sentences, explain how their falls compare, including the effects of gravity, mass, and air resistance.(4 points) try to be brief with each sentence but extend if needed.

Answer 1

When two skydivers of different masses jump from a plane, both experience the same gravitational force pulling them downward, as gravity acts equally on all masses. However, the heavier skydiver may initially accelerate faster due to having a greater gravitational force acting on them compared to the air resistance they encounter. As they fall, both divers will eventually reach terminal velocity, where the force of air resistance equals the gravitational force, causing them to fall at a constant speed. At this point, the lighter skydiver, having a lower terminal velocity, will fall slower than the heavier skydiver. Ultimately, mass affects the rate of acceleration and terminal velocity, but both divers will fall until they deploy their parachutes.