why does a small parachute falls faster than a big parachute?

Question

please explain in terms of forces

Answer 1

A larger parachute has more surface area for air to provide upward forces resisting the descent.

Answer 2

If you drop a weight plus parachute, most of the mass will be that of the weight. So it won't make much difference to the total mass whether it's a small or a large parachute: and so the downward force (gravitational attraction) will be the same in either case.

But the upward force will be due to air resistance, which will be proportional to the cross-sectional area of the parachute (as seen looking up at it). So a big parachute will have more area than a small parachute.

The other factor for the air resistance is the speed of fall (v): the air resistance is proportional to the speed squared.

So:
mg = constant*Area * v^2

v = sqrt (mg/(constant*Area) = (another_constant)/sqrt(Area)

So the bigger the Area, the smaller the speed of fall.

Answer 3

faster. Because a big parachute has more surface area, meaning when descending, you will fall slower because more air would get caught by the larger parachute. The opposite effect for the small parachute.

Answer 4

A small parachute has less surface area which means it cannot absorb as much force from air resistance pushing up against it. The larger the surface area the greater the force pushing up from the bottom on the chute.

Answer 5

Less mass and less wind resistance on the small one. The force of the air on the larger parachute as it falls creates more resistance and drag so it falls slower.

Answer 6

Because a smaller parachute encounters less wind resistance than a larger one.

Answer 7

da smaller parachute has less air resistance (as in the chut shape as an upside down u catches less air while going down) as da bigger parachute catches more air while going down hence making it slower to go down...simple science...

Answer 8

smaller parachute will create less drag?

Answer 9

Well, look at the purpose of a parachute. To spread out. Plus, a smaller one will be more dense I guess.

I dunno. :F