When a skydiver first jumps out of an airplane, the speed of the drop increases during the free-fall stage of the dive. Once the parachute opens, air resistance causes the diver's fall to slow. Eventually, the skydiver will reach terminal velocity and continue to fall toward the ground at a constant rate. At which point during the dive does the skydiver experience balanced forces?

Question

When a skydiver first jumps out of an airplane, the speed of the drop increases during the free-fall stage of the dive. Once the parachute opens, air resistance causes the diver's fall to slow. Eventually, the skydiver will reach terminal velocity and continue to fall toward the ground at a constant rate. At which point during the dive does the skydiver experience balanced forces?

1.Jumping from the airplane
2.During the freefall
3.When the parachute first opens
4.Reaching terminal velocity

Answer 1

4. Reaching terminal velocity

At terminal velocity, the force of gravity pulling the skydiver downward is balanced by the force of air resistance pushing upward, resulting in a constant speed of descent.