Which of the following explains why a parachute makes a person falling from a great height fall more slowly?
A)The parachute reduces the friction in the air.
B)The parachute pulls upward, so the fall is slower.
C) The parachute causes air resistance, which slows the fall.
D)The parachute decreases the pull of gravity on the person wearing it.
because the force of gravity is so strong it appears to attract all objects equally regardless of mass which of the following is illustrated by this idea
The correct answer is C) The parachute causes air resistance, which slows the fall. To understand why a parachute slows down the fall of a person, we need to understand the concept of air resistance.
Air resistance is the force that opposes the motion of an object through the air. When a person falls from a great height, they experience the force of gravity pulling them downward. However, as the person begins to fall, the air particles in the atmosphere push against the person, creating air resistance.
When a parachute is deployed, it creates a large surface area that catches a significant amount of air. As the person falls, the parachute creates a drag force due to the air resistance. The greater the surface area of the parachute, the more air resistance is produced.
The important point to note is that the air resistance produced by the parachute is directed upward. This force counteracts the force of gravity, reducing the net force acting on the person. As a result, the person falls more slowly than they would without a parachute.
In summary, the correct choice is option C because a parachute causes air resistance, which slows down the fall of a person by counteracting the force of gravity.