Immediately after opening the parachute, is the skydiver accelerating? If so, in which direction? Explain your answer.
Understand the Problem
The question is asking us to analyze the forces acting on a skydiver once the parachute is deployed, to determine if they are accelerating and in which direction, if applicable.
Answer
The skydiver accelerates upward immediately after the parachute opens.
The skydiver experiences upward acceleration immediately after the parachute opens due to increased air resistance exceeding gravitational force.
Answer for screen readers
The skydiver experiences upward acceleration immediately after the parachute opens due to increased air resistance exceeding gravitational force.
More Information
When a parachute opens, the sudden increase in drag force causes a rapid deceleration of the skydiver which can be perceived as an upward acceleration relative to their previous downward velocity.
Tips
A common mistake is thinking the skydiver continues to accelerate downward. Remember, opening the parachute increases air resistance drastically.
Sources
- University Physics for the Physical and Life Sciences Volume 1, 2012 Edition - vaia.com
- Skydiving - Newton's Laws - The Physics Classroom - physicsclassroom.com
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