Use the concepts of force, acceleration, and speed to explain how a parachute works.
Make sure your answer explains how Newton’s laws of motion play a part.
When you jump out of the plane, you have mg down and noting up so you accelerate down at g. a = -g/m, v = -g t , h = Hi - (1/2) g t^2
When you deploy the parachute it exerts a drag force up on you approximately proportional to v^2
ma = -mg + k v^2
when the drag becomes equal to the weight
in other words k v^2 = mg
the acceleration, a , becomes zero and you proceed at constant velocity down
typo
a = -g
A parachute works by utilizing the concepts of force, acceleration, and speed, as well as Newton's laws of motion. Let's break it down step by step:
1. Newton's First Law: Also known as the law of inertia, it states that an object at rest will stay at rest, and an object in motion will stay in motion unless acted upon by an external force. In the case of a parachute, this law comes into play when the parachute and the person or object attached to it are initially in free fall. Because of gravity, they are accelerating downwards.
2. Newton's Second Law: This law states that the force acting on an object is equal to its mass multiplied by its acceleration. In the case of a parachute, as the parachute opens up, it increases the surface area that is exposed to the air. As a result, air resistance or drag force increases. The drag force acts in the opposite direction of the motion, slowing down the acceleration of the falling person or object.
3. Terminal Velocity: Terminal velocity is the constant speed that a falling object reaches when the force of gravity is balanced by the force of air resistance. When a parachute opens, it creates a large surface area that interacts with the air molecules, increasing the drag force. As the person or object falls faster, the drag force also increases until it becomes equal to the force of gravity. At this point, the forces are balanced, and the person or object reaches terminal velocity. This terminal velocity is typically much lower than the initial freefall speed.
4. Newton's Third Law: This law states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. In the case of a parachute, the action is the force of the air pushing against the parachute. The reaction is the force exerted by the parachute on the air. This force creates an upward motion, counteracting the downward motion caused by gravity. This reaction force allows the parachute to slow down the fall further, ultimately leading to a safe descent.
In summary, a parachute works by utilizing the principles of force, acceleration, and speed, in conjunction with Newton's laws of motion. The parachute increases the surface area, creating more drag force, which counteracts the force of gravity and slows down the acceleration of the falling person or object. This ultimately leads to a lower terminal velocity and a safe descent.