College Physics (4th Edition)

Published by McGraw-Hill Education
ISBN 10: 0073512141
ISBN 13: 978-0-07351-214-3

Chapter 4 - Conceptual Questions - Page 145: 9

Answer

The force of gravity pulls down on the parachutist while a drag force from the parachute pulls upward on the parachutist. When these two forces have the same magnitude, the parachutist falls at a constant velocity. Since the net force is zero, the acceleration is zero.

Work Step by Step

There are two vertical forces acting on the parachutist. The force of gravity pulls down on the parachutist while a drag force from the parachute pulls upward on the parachutist. When these two forces have the same magnitude, the parachutist falls at a constant velocity. Since the net force is zero, the acceleration is zero.
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