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Skydivers are affected by acceleration due to gravity and by air resistance. Eventually, they reach a speed where the force of gravity is almost equal to the force of air resistance. As they approach that point, their acceleration decreases in magnitude to near zero.

a) True
b) False

User Uranibaba
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Final answer:

Skydivers experience gravity and air resistance during their fall, eventually reaching a terminal velocity where these forces balance and acceleration becomes nearly zero, leading to constant velocity.

Step-by-step explanation:

True, skydivers are affected by acceleration due to gravity and by air resistance. When a skydiver jumps from a plane, they experience the force of gravity pulling them downwards, causing acceleration. However, as they fall and pick up speed, the air resistance working against them increases. Eventually, a point is reached where the force of air resistance balances out the force of gravity. This state is known as the terminal velocity. At terminal velocity, the downward force of gravity is equal to the upward force of air resistance, so the net force is zero, and according to Newton's second law, this means the acceleration is zero. Therefore, as skydivers approach terminal velocity, their acceleration decreases until it becomes nearly zero.

User Nelsonwebs
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