Question

Skydiver #1 and Skydiver #2 have similar masses. The skydivers jump out of the plane from the same

height at the same time. As the skydivers approach the ground they open their parachutes. Skydiver #1
has a large parachute with a surface area of 10 square feet. Skydiver #2 has a small parachute with a
surface area of 5 square feet.
Describe the relationship between the surface area of each skydivers' parachute and air
resistance experienced by each skydiver (2 points).
Explain why one of the skydivers reached the ground first, discussing how their air resistance
impacted their falling speed (2 points)

Answer 1

Skydiver #1 with a larger parachute experiences greater air resistance, resulting in a slower descent compared to Skydiver #2 with a smaller parachute. The greater air resistance decreases Skydiver #1's terminal velocity, causing them to reach the ground later than Skydiver #2.

Step-by-step explanation:

The relationship between the surface area of each skydiver's parachute and the air resistance experienced is that Skydiver #1 with a larger parachute surface area of 10 square feet encounters greater air resistance than Skydiver #2, who has a smaller parachute with a surface area of 5 square feet. The increased air resistance with a larger surface area results in a slower descent toward the ground because the air resistance opposes the force of gravity more effectively. Consequently, Skydiver #1, with the larger parachute, would reach the ground after Skydiver #2, assuming all other factors are equal.

The reason one of the skydivers reached the ground first is due to the differing levels of air resistance impacting their falling speeds. Skydiver #1 with the larger parachute surface area experienced greater air resistance, which increased the opposing force to gravity, therefore decreasing their terminal velocity and causing them to fall slower than Skydiver #2. As a result, Skydiver #2, with less air resistance, would have a higher terminal velocity and reach the ground quicker than Skydiver #1.