Skydiver #1 and Skydiver #2 have similar masses. The skydivers jump out of the plane from the same height at the same time. As the skydivers approach the ground they open their parachutes. Skydiver #1 has a large parachute with a surface area of 10 square feet. Skydiver #2 has a small parachute with a surface area of 5 square feet.
Describe the relationship between the surface area of each skydivers' parachute and air resistance experienced by each skydiver (2 points).
Explain why one of the skydivers reached the ground first, discussing how their air resistance impacted their falling speed (2 points)
The relationship between the surface area of a skydiver's parachute and the air resistance experienced can be described as follows: a larger surface area of the parachute leads to greater air resistance, while a smaller surface area of the parachute leads to lesser air resistance.
In terms of reaching the ground first, the skydiver with the larger parachute (Skydiver #1) would likely reach the ground first. This is because the larger surface area of the parachute would create more air resistance, effectively slowing down the descent of Skydiver #1 compared to Skydiver #2. The increased air resistance acting on Skydiver #1 would counterbalance the force of gravity to a greater extent, resulting in a slower descending speed for Skydiver #1.
On the other hand, Skydiver #2 with the smaller parachute would experience lesser air resistance due to the smaller surface area. With less air resistance slowing down the descent, Skydiver #2 would fall at a faster speed compared to Skydiver #1.
Thus, the difference in air resistance between the two skydivers, caused by the difference in surface area of their parachutes, plays a crucial role in determining their falling speeds and the time it takes for them to reach the ground.