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By definition, if he is accelerating, then it is an unbalanced force ... which means he JUST jumped out the plane and his downward speed in increasing. Once he reaches a particular speed (called terminal velocity; lets call it for a general case of about 110 mph), the force of DRAG will be equal to the force due to gravity and he will no longer be accelerating, no longer increasing in speed, and he will then have balanced forces.

Since the variables are always changing, drag will change with the most subtle changes in the skydiver's orientation either intentionally or unintentionally and the air resistance is constantly changing with increase in density, the forces will never be truly balanced. The effect of both forces will seesaw between one or the other being dominant. Terminal velocity is achieved when that process is minimal.

It is of note that the effect of gravity itself is changing but over a skydive, the effect is negligible and may be ignored.

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Dallas Weissnat

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3y ago

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Related Questions

What direction is the net force on a falling skydiver before she reaches terminal vilocity?

The net force on a falling skydiver is directed downwards, which is the force of gravity acting on the skydiver. This force causes the skydiver to accelerate as she falls until she reaches terminal velocity.


What is the skydiver's forward velocity?

The skydiver's forward velocity can vary depending on factors such as body positioning, wind speed, and altitude. On average, a skydiver falling in a stable belly-to-earth position can reach speeds of around 120 mph (193 km/h).


When a skydiver has reach the terminal speed what is the air resistance equal to what is the sky diver acceleration?

When a skydiver reaches terminal speed, the air resistance is equal to the force of gravity acting on the skydiver. At this point, the acceleration of the skydiver is zero, as the forces are balanced. This means that the skydiver is falling at a constant speed due to the opposing forces being equal.


How does a open parachute increase the air resistance of a falling skydiver?

by increasing surface area


A skydiver of mass 100 kg experiences air resistance while falling How fast is the skydiver being accelerated at?

The acceleration of the skydiver can be calculated using Newton's second law: F = ma, where F is the force of gravity - air resistance, m is the mass of the skydiver, and a is the acceleration. The acceleration will depend on the exact value of air resistance acting on the skydiver.


What happens to the mass of a skydiver when he is free falling?

The mass of a skydiver remains constant while they are free falling. Mass is a measure of the amount of matter in an object and does not change regardless of the forces acting on it, such as gravity or air resistance. However, the skydiver's weight, which is the force of gravity acting on their mass, changes due to the effects of air resistance as they accelerate and reach terminal velocity.


Compare the effects of gravity and air resistance on a falling skydiver before and after she opens her parachute.?

-- The force of gravity is unchanged before and after.-- The force of air resistance on the skydiver is greater before, and less after,because she is falling slower after the parachute opens.-- The effect on her of air resistance is greater after the parachute is open. Theincreased air resistance itself acts on the parachute, and its effect is transferredto the skydiver through her harness.


Does it mean a skydiver is slowing down if the acceleration of the skydiver decreases as falling progresses?

No.Acceleration is a measure of the rate of change of velocity (speed & direction). If acceleration is decreasing (but still above zero) then this means that the rate at which the speed is increasing in this direction is decreasing.As long as the downward acceleration is greater than zero then the skydiver's speed is still increasing.Once terminal velocity is reached then downward acceleration will equal zero (speed is constant).If the downward acceleration falls below zero (as will happen once his parachute is deployed for instance) then this means he is slowing down.


When does a skydiver achieve termianl velocity?

A skydiver typically achieves terminal velocity within 10-15 seconds after jumping out of the plane. Terminal velocity is reached when the force of air resistance pushing up on the falling object equals the force of gravity pulling it down, resulting in a constant falling speed.


Why is a skydiver's speed wont continue to increase until his or her parachute opens?

A skydiver's speed doesn't continue to increase because of air resistance, also known as drag force. As the skydiver falls, the force of air resistance increases until it balances out with the force of gravity pulling them downwards. This causes the skydiver to reach a terminal velocity, the maximum speed they can achieve while falling, before the parachute opens.


Is it true that the steady speed reached by a skydiver is called the terminal velocity?

Yes. Not just a skydiver; anything that falls long enough will eventually reach "terminal velocity", which means that it will continue falling at a constant speed, because the force of gravity and the force of air resistance are in balance.


What scares the chute out of a barophobic skydiver?

A barophobic skydiver, someone who fears gravity or weight, might be terrified by the thought of free-falling through the sky without the immediate security of solid ground. The sensation of weightlessness during freefall can trigger intense anxiety, as they grapple with the loss of control and the overwhelming force of gravity pulling them down. Additionally, any malfunction with the parachute or an unexpected change in altitude could amplify their fears, making the experience even more daunting.