At about 55 meters/sec, a falling parachuter (before the parachute opens) no longer accelerates. Air friction

opposes acceleration. Although the effect of air friction begins gradually, imagine that the parachuter is free

falling until terminal speed (the constant falling speed) is reached. How long would that take?

Question

Journey Hunt

Physics

9 August, 04:41

At about 55 meters/sec, a falling parachuter (before the parachute opens) no longer accelerates. Air friction

opposes acceleration. Although the effect of air friction begins gradually, imagine that the parachuter is free

falling until terminal speed (the constant falling speed) is reached. How long would that take?

+1

Answers (1)

Know the Answer?

Liana Conner · Answer 1

In free-fall, gravity is accelerating him at the rate of 9.8 m/s

every second.

So it would take him (55/9.8) = 5.6 seconds to reach terminal

speed if air didn't affect his fall until he had reached it.