Final answer:
Without air resistance, a skydiver on Earth would achieve a velocity change of approximately 39.24 m/s after falling for 4 seconds. This calculation is based on the physics motion formula v = gt. However, in real life scenarios, air resistance plays a significant role, where a skydiver would eventually reach a constant terminal velocity.
Step-by-step explanation:
To calculate the change in a skydiver's velocity after falling for 4 seconds without air resistance, we need to use the formula of motion, which states that the velocity achieved by an object under the acceleration due to gravity is v = gt, where g is acceleration due to gravity (approximately 9.81 m/s² on Earth) and t is time.
Ignoring air resistance, this means that the force acting on the skydiver is due to gravity alone. Therefore, the change in velocity over a 4-second fall can be calculated as follows: v = gt = 9.81 x 4 = 39.24 m/s.
Please note that in reality, air resistance would have a significant impact on the skydiver's velocity, and the velocity would not increase indefinitely due to the existence of a terminal velocity. With air resistance, the skydiver would eventually reach a constant terminal velocity where the air resistance equals the gravitational force.
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