Forces Acting On A Skydiver

Question 1

Describe immediate forces

Answer 1

The only force acting is weight once jumped out due to gravity
= resultant force acting downwards
= accelerate towards the ground

Question 2

Describe the diver as he’s falling

Answer 2

Friction with air molecules
= air resistance acting upwards
As velocity increases air resistance increases

Question 3

Describe the motion of skydiver

Answer 3

• diver accelerates towards the ground
• as he falls air resistance increases acting upwards
• weight is greater than air resistance so continues to accelerate
• as velocity increases so does air resistance
• when air resistance balances weight there is zero resultant force
  = velocity stays constant
  = terminal velocity