From my knowledge of physics I chose b as my answer. Any thoughts? Thanks!
When a parachutist jumps from an airplane, he eventually reaches a constant speed, called the terminal velocity. This means that:
a. The acceleration is equal to g.
b. The force of air resistance is equal to zero N.
c. The effect of gravity has died down.
d. The force of air resistance is equal to the weight of the parachutist.
2006-11-13 08:10:07 · 3 answers · asked by shaft0208 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
I don't think that b is the right answer, because that is basically saying that there is no force of air resistance. If there was no air resistance, the parachutist would keep accelerating.
I think the answer would be d. The weight of the parachutist is the force of gravity on him, which is causing his acceleration. To balance that out so he stops accelerating, a force in the opposite direction, i.e. air resistance, has to be equal to the force of gravity, aka weight.
I hope that was a clear enough explanation. It has been several months since I actually studied this.
2006-11-13 08:18:50 · answer #1 · answered by mon_amie 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with mon_amie. RIght answer should be (d) because at the moment that forece of air is equal to the weight of the parachutist reaching a constant speed due to gravity effect over the whole system.
2006-11-13 08:22:01 · answer #2 · answered by CHESSLARUS 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm pretty sure d is the right answer.
2006-11-13 11:31:23 · answer #3 · answered by SMS 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋