Question

A child and parent parachute jump together. Assume that the parent is heavier than the child. The following questions will ask you about different aspects of their trip down.

Part A

Before they open their parachutes, both the parent and the child fall with the same acceleration and velocity. How does the total force acting on the child compare to the total force acting on the parent? Explain your reasoning!

Part B

Once they open their parachutes, in addition to gravity they also feel the force of the parachute ropes pulling on them. Soon after their parachutes are opened, they are no longer accelerating or decelerating, but instead fall at a uniform velocity. What is the total force on the parent and the total force on the child during the time they are falling at a uniform velocity?

Part C

How does the force exerted by the parachute on the child compare to the force exerted by the parachute on the parent if they continue to fall together next to each other?

Answer 1