Physics HW-Force Question! Help! I thought I got it right but it is not!

Question

A skydiver has his parachute open and is floating downward through the air at a constant speed. Identify all the forces acting on the system skydiver-parachute...

OPTIONS:

-Kinetic friction force

-Tension

-Thrust

-Normal force

-Weight

-Air resistance

Answer 1

Hi Lauren.

Let’s break down the forces acting on the skydiver-parachute system:

1. Weight: This is the gravitational force pulling the skydiver and parachute downwards. It’s always present unless the object is in a location with no gravitational field.

2. Air Resistance: As the skydiver descends with the parachute open, there’s a resistance from the air. This force acts upwards and is responsible for slowing down the skydiver’s fall. When the skydiver reaches terminal velocity, the air resistance equals the weight, resulting in no acceleration and a constant speed.

3. Tension: The parachute’s cords hold the skydiver, creating tension in the lines. This force acts upwards and is a result of the weight of the skydiver and the upward force of the air resistance on the parachute.

Now, evaluating the given options:

• Kinetic friction force: This isn’t relevant here. Kinetic friction typically acts between solid surfaces sliding against each other.

• Thrust: This is a force due to propulsion, like from a jet engine. It doesn’t apply to a skydiver.

• Normal force: This is the force that acts perpendicular to a surface to support the weight of an object on that surface, e.g., the force a table exerts to support a book. It’s not relevant for a skydiver in freefall.

From the given options, the forces acting on the skydiver-parachute system are:

• Tension

• Weight

• Air Resistance