Asked by Julie
A skydiver falls toward the ground at a constant velocity. Which statement best applies Newton’s laws of motion to explain the skydiver’s motion?
An upward force balances the downward force of gravity on the skydiver.
The mass of the skydiver is so great that there is no acceleration.
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Answered by
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The first statement.
When air resistance (an upward force) grows until it equals the downward gravitational force, the net force is zero. By Newton’s first/second laws zero net force means zero acceleration, so the skydiver falls at constant velocity (terminal velocity). The skydiver’s large mass alone does not eliminate acceleration.
When air resistance (an upward force) grows until it equals the downward gravitational force, the net force is zero. By Newton’s first/second laws zero net force means zero acceleration, so the skydiver falls at constant velocity (terminal velocity). The skydiver’s large mass alone does not eliminate acceleration.
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