## What Type of Energy Does a Skydiver Use?
Skydiving is an extreme sport that involves jumping out of an airplane and freefalling for a period of time before deploying a parachute. During the freefall, skydivers experience a number of different forces, including gravity, air resistance, and lift. The energy that skydivers use to overcome these forces is a combination of potential energy, kinetic energy, and thermal energy.
### Potential Energy
Potential energy is the energy that an object has due to its position or state. In the case of a skydiver, potential energy is gained as the skydiver climbs to a higher altitude. The higher the altitude, the greater the potential energy. When the skydiver jumps out of the airplane, this potential energy is converted into kinetic energy.
### Kinetic Energy
Kinetic energy is the energy that an object has due to its motion. In the case of a skydiver, kinetic energy is gained as the skydiver falls towards the ground. The faster the skydiver falls, the greater the kinetic energy. Kinetic energy is also used to overcome air resistance and lift.
### Thermal Energy
Thermal energy is the energy that an object has due to the movement of its atoms and molecules. In the case of a skydiver, thermal energy is generated by the friction between the skydiver’s body and the air. This friction causes the skydiver’s body to heat up, which in turn increases the skydiver’s thermal energy. Thermal energy is not used to overcome gravity, air resistance, or lift, but it can help to keep the skydiver warm during the freefall.
## How Do Skydivers Use Energy?
Skydivers use energy to overcome the forces of gravity, air resistance, and lift. Gravity is the force that pulls objects towards the ground. Air resistance is the force that opposes the motion of an object through the air. Lift is the force that opposes the weight of an object and keeps it in the air.
Skydivers use potential energy to overcome gravity. As the skydiver climbs to a higher altitude, they gain potential energy. When the skydiver jumps out of the airplane, this potential energy is converted into kinetic energy. Kinetic energy is used to overcome air resistance and lift.
Air resistance is a force that opposes the motion of an object through the air. The faster an object moves, the greater the air resistance. Skydivers use their bodies to create drag, which increases air resistance. This helps to slow down the skydiver and prevent them from falling too fast.
Lift is a force that opposes the weight of an object and keeps it in the air. Skydivers use their parachutes to create lift. The parachute opens up and catches the air, which creates lift. This lift helps to slow down the skydiver and prevent them from falling too fast.
## Conclusion
Skydivers use a combination of potential energy, kinetic energy, and thermal energy to overcome the forces of gravity, air resistance, and lift. Potential energy is gained as the skydiver climbs to a higher altitude. Kinetic energy is gained as the skydiver falls towards the ground. Thermal energy is generated by the friction between the skydiver’s body and the air. Skydivers use potential energy to overcome gravity, kinetic energy to overcome air resistance and lift, and thermal energy to keep warm during the freefall.