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.

Answer 1

In vacuum both skydivers would accelerate equally because gravity gives the same acceleration to all masses. In air the heavier diver has a larger weight (gravitational force) so it takes a larger drag force (and thus a higher speed) to balance that weight, giving the heavier diver a higher terminal velocity. Air resistance grows with speed and depends on body shape and orientation, so if the two adopt the same posture the heavier one will fall faster after transients. Changing body position (to increase or decrease drag) can alter these outcomes.