Groups of skydivers need to navigate through the air during a jump to get into a formation. How can skydivers who are below the formation join the group?

Question

• They can form their bodies into a ball to decrease the strength of gravity,
• they can spread their bodies to slow their acceleration
• they can form their bodies into a ball to slow their acceleration
• they can spread their bodies to decrease the strength of gravity

Answer 1

In order for skydivers who are below the formation to join the group, they should spread their bodies to slow their acceleration. By adopting a spread-eagle position, they increase air resistance (drag), which reduces their fall speed, allowing them to ascend relative to others who are in a tighter formation or in a more vertical position. This technique helps them catch up and align with the group above.