If you were falling in an elevator and jumped up the second it hit the bottom would you live?

Answer 1

Mythbusters did a show on this.
Jumping was not helpful.

Answer 2

No. If the elevator hits the ground with velocity "v", then it is true that by jumping at the last second you can reduce your downward velocity to "v−Δv" -- at least for a second. The problem is, while you're in the air, gravity is still acting on you. You'll reach the top of your jump (relative to the elevator) and then will promptly descend again, and gravity will add back the Δv that you lost. You'll hit the ground a half-second later than you otherwise would have, but you'll still hit with velocity "v", same as the elevator did. The only thing you'll have accomplished is to add half a second to your life.

Answer 3

If the elevator fell from 1 or 2 metres you would be fine. The amount that you can jump is actually very small compared to the terminal velocity of an elevator and your efforts would be a complete waste of time.

Answer 4

Depends on how far the elevator falls. 20 feet or less, you will probaby survive unharmed, or alive anyhow. 4 or more floors, and your body would not have the ability to exert the amount of force required to reverse your acceleration....assuming that you could precisely time it, which is extremely doubtful also.

Answer 5

If you can jump as high as where the elevator started falling, then yes.

Answer 6

depends how high is the fall..

but, think about this..
if the elevator is falling, you are falling right along with it, if you were to press downward against the floor of the elevator, there would not be anything to press against, since the elevator is falling too..

you would essentially be floating in free fall...

Answer 7

NO! You are falling at the same speed as the elevator. Bye! Bye!

Answer 8

Uuhhhmmmmm, No. Your velocity is still going to change, really fast. That's called acceleration and in large enough doses, it can scramble your brain. Sorry

Answer 9

No..!