how does area of an opened parachute affect the size of force
The size of force acting on an open parachute is influenced by the area of the parachute. The larger the area of the parachute, the greater the force it experiences. This force is commonly referred to as air resistance or drag.
To understand why the area of the parachute affects the force, we can consider the concept of fluid dynamics. When an object moves through a fluid, such as air, the fluid molecules collide with the object's surface, creating a force in the opposite direction of the motion.
In the case of a parachute, the larger the surface area exposed to the air, the more air molecules collide with the parachute, generating a greater force. This force opposes the downward motion of the parachute and helps to slow down its descent.
To calculate the exact relationship between the area of the parachute and the force it experiences, we can use the equation for drag force:
Drag Force = 0.5 * (air density) * (velocity^2) * (drag coefficient) * (parachute area)
Here, the air density refers to the density of the air through which the parachute is moving. The velocity is the speed at which the parachute is falling. The drag coefficient is a dimensionless value that depends on the parachute's shape and surface properties. Finally, the parachute area is the surface area exposed to the air.
Therefore, by increasing the area of the parachute, we increase the drag force acting on it. This increased force helps to slow down the parachute's descent, allowing for a safer and slower landing.