## How Air Resistance and Gravity Affect a Skydiver
When a skydiver jumps out of a plane, they are immediately affected by two forces: air resistance and gravity.
Air resistance is the force that opposes the motion of an object through the air. It is caused by the collision of the object with air molecules. The faster the object is moving, the greater the air resistance.
Gravity is the force that pulls objects towards the Earth. It is caused by the mass of the Earth. The greater the mass of an object, the greater the force of gravity acting on it.
How air resistance and gravity affect a skydiver
Air resistance and gravity work together to determine the speed of a skydiver. As the skydiver falls, air resistance increases and gravity decreases. This causes the skydiver to reach a terminal velocity, which is the speed at which the force of air resistance is equal to the force of gravity.
At the beginning of the fall, the skydiver accelerates due to gravity. As the skydiver falls, air resistance increases and gravity decreases. At some point, the force of air resistance will become equal to the force of gravity. At this point, the skydiver will reach a terminal velocity.
The skydiver’s terminal velocity will depend on a number of factors, including their weight, shape, and orientation. A heavier skydiver with a larger surface area will have a higher terminal velocity than a lighter skydiver with a smaller surface area.
Once the skydiver reaches their terminal velocity, they will continue to fall at a constant speed. The skydiver can control their speed by changing their body position. By tucking their body into a tight ball, the skydiver can increase their air resistance and slow down. By spreading their arms and legs, the skydiver can decrease their air resistance and speed up.
How skydivers use air resistance and gravity
Skydivers use air resistance and gravity to control their speed and position in the air. By changing their body position, skydivers can accelerate, decelerate, and turn.
To accelerate, skydivers tuck their body into a tight ball. This increases their air resistance and slows them down.
To decelerate, skydivers spread their arms and legs. This decreases their air resistance and speeds them up.
To turn, skydivers use their body to shift their weight. By leaning in the direction they want to turn, skydivers can change the direction of their fall.
Conclusion
Air resistance and gravity are two important forces that affect a skydiver. By understanding how these forces work, skydivers can control their speed and position in the air.