Question

1. terminal velocity the skydiver in figure 13 falls at a constant speed in the spread - eagle position. immediately after opening the parachute, is the skydiver accelerating? if so, in which direction? explain your answer. figure 13

Explanation:

When an object is moving at a constant speed, according to Newton's first law of motion, the net force acting on it is zero. In the case of a skydiver at terminal velocity, the force of gravity (acting downward) is balanced by the air - resistance force (acting upward). Since there is no net force, there is no acceleration.

Answer:

No, the skydiver is not accelerating. At terminal velocity, the force of gravity (downward) is equal in magnitude and opposite in direction to the air - resistance force (upward). According to Newton's second law \(F = ma\), when \(F_{net}=0\), \(a = 0\).