Direction of Resultant Force on a Skydiver After Opening Parachute

In summary, the direction of the resultant force immediately after a skydiver opens their parachute is upwards, causing them to decelerate and eventually reach a balance with gravity. This is because the acceleration is upwards and requires a force in that direction. If there is a net force to the side or downwards instead, the skydiver will fall down at an increasing velocity. Opening the parachute greatly increases the upward force from the air, leading to deceleration until a balance is reached.
  • #1
Muhammad Danish
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When a skydiver falls at terminal velocity, and opens his parachute, what will be the direction of the resultant force immediately after he opens his parachute?
As far as I know is that the direction of acceleration will be upwards since his velocity is decreasing. I am a bit confused regarding the direction of resultant force.
Thanks.
(REGARDS)
 
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  • #2
Muhammad Danish said:
As far as I know is that the direction of acceleration will be upwards since his velocity is decreasing. I am a bit confused regarding the direction of resultant force.

If the acceleration is upwards, and acceleration requires a force, then what is the direction of the force?
 
  • #3
Drakkith said:
If the acceleration is upwards, and acceleration requires a force, then what is the direction of the force?
Upwards?
 
  • #4
That's right. If there is a net force to the side or downwards instead, what would happen to the skydiver?
 
  • #5
Drakkith said:
That's right. If there is a net force to the side or downwards instead, what would happen to the skydiver?
The skydiver will fall down at an increasing velocity? (Because the acceleration will be downwards)
 
  • #6
Yep. If the skydiver is at terminal velocity, then the resultant forces are zero and they are not accelerating. Upon opening their parachute, the upward force from the air greatly increases, causing them to decelerate. As their airspeed decreases, the upward force decreases as well, until it is balanced with gravity again.
 
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  • #7
Drakkith said:
Yep. If the skydiver is at terminal velocity, then the resultant forces are zero and they are not acceleration. Upon opening their parachute, the upward force from the air greatly increases, causing them to deceleration. As their airspeed decreases, the upward force decreases as well, until it is balanced with gravity again.
Well, this was the best explanation. Thanks a lot for making things clear :)
 
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1. What is the resultant force of a skydiver?

The resultant force of a skydiver is the total force acting on the skydiver at any given time. It is the combination of all the forces acting on the skydiver, including gravity, air resistance, and any external forces.

2. How does the resultant force affect the motion of a skydiver?

The resultant force determines the acceleration and direction of the skydiver's motion. If the resultant force is greater than zero, the skydiver will accelerate in the direction of the force. If the resultant force is equal to zero, the skydiver will have a constant velocity.

3. How does the weight of the skydiver contribute to the resultant force?

The weight of the skydiver, which is the force of gravity acting on their mass, contributes to the resultant force. It is always acting downwards and is the main force responsible for the skydiver's acceleration towards the ground.

4. How does air resistance affect the resultant force of a skydiver?

Air resistance, also known as drag, is a force that acts in the opposite direction to the motion of the skydiver. As the skydiver falls through the air, the force of air resistance increases until it is equal to the weight of the skydiver. At this point, the resultant force is zero and the skydiver reaches a constant velocity called the terminal velocity.

5. How can the resultant force be calculated for a skydiver?

The resultant force can be calculated by adding all the individual forces acting on the skydiver using vector addition. This can be done by breaking down each force into its horizontal and vertical components and then adding them together to find the overall resultant force. Alternatively, the resultant force can also be calculated using Newton's Second Law: Force = mass x acceleration.

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