The weight of an object does have an impact on how fast it falls with a parachute, but there are several factors to consider, including air resistance and the surface area of the parachute.
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Weight and Gravity: Heavier objects (like the watermelon) experience a greater gravitational force compared to lighter objects (like the ping pong ball). In a vacuum, all objects fall at the same rate regardless of their weight, but in the presence of air (which creates drag), the weight of the object becomes more significant.
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Air Resistance: When an object falls through the air, it encounters air resistance, which opposes the force of gravity. The amount of air resistance an object experiences depends on its surface area and shape. A parachute increases the surface area significantly, creating higher air resistance.
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Falling with a Parachute: When an object with a parachute falls, the parachute opens up and increases drag. The size, shape, and overall design of the parachute determine how much air resistance is generated. A heavier object might fall faster than a lighter one with the same parachute, but once the parachute deploys, both will decelerate significantly due to increased drag.
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Terminal Velocity: Eventually, as an object falls, it will reach a point called terminal velocity, where the force of gravity pulling it down is equal to the air resistance pushing up, resulting in a constant falling speed. Heavier objects generally have a higher terminal velocity than lighter ones, meaning they can fall faster before reaching that equilibrium.
In summary, while weight does affect the fall rate of an object with a parachute, the design and size of the parachute also play crucial roles in determining how quickly an object descends. Heavier objects may fall faster and hit the ground with more force than lighter ones, but once a parachute is deployed, the distinction between their fall rates becomes influenced by the parachute's ability to create drag.