## What is the Net Force on a Skydiver Falling?
When a skydiver jumps out of a plane, they experience a force of gravity pulling them down towards the earth. This force is opposed by the force of air resistance, which pushes them up. The net force on the skydiver is the sum of these two forces.
### Force of Gravity
The force of gravity is a force that attracts two objects with mass towards each other. The more mass an object has, the greater its gravitational pull. The force of gravity between two objects is also greater the closer they are together.
In the case of a skydiver, the force of gravity is pulling them down towards the earth. The force of gravity is proportional to the mass of the skydiver and the mass of the earth. The force of gravity is also inversely proportional to the square of the distance between the skydiver and the earth.
### Force of Air Resistance
The force of air resistance is a force that opposes the motion of an object through a fluid. The force of air resistance is proportional to the speed of the object, the surface area of the object, and the density of the fluid.
In the case of a skydiver, the force of air resistance is pushing them up. The force of air resistance is proportional to the speed of the skydiver, the surface area of the skydiver’s body, and the density of the air.
### Net Force on a Skydiver Falling
The net force on a skydiver falling is the sum of the force of gravity and the force of air resistance. The net force on a skydiver is initially downward, but as the skydiver falls, the force of air resistance increases and the net force becomes upward.
When the net force on a skydiver is upward, the skydiver will begin to slow down. Eventually, the skydiver will reach a constant speed, known as the terminal velocity. The terminal velocity is the speed at which the force of gravity and the force of air resistance are equal.
The terminal velocity of a skydiver is typically around 120 miles per hour (190 kilometers per hour). However, the terminal velocity can vary depending on the weight of the skydiver, the surface area of the skydiver’s body, and the density of the air.