Down with parachutes: A science activity exploring how parachute size affects falling speed due to air resistance.

Here’s the solution to the questions in the image, explained step by step:

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Question 1: Which person will fall to Earth faster? Explain your answer.

Answer:
The person with the *smaller parachute* will fall to Earth faster.

Explanation:
According to the “Background knowledge” section:
- Gravity pulls all objects toward Earth — this force is the same for both people (assuming they have similar mass).
- Air resistance pushes *upward* against the falling object and opposes motion.
- The *larger* the parachute, the *more surface area* there is for air to push against → greater air resistance → slower fall.
- The *smaller* the parachute, the *less surface area* → less air resistance → faster fall.

In the drawing, one parachute is visibly larger than the other. So, the person under the smaller parachute experiences less upward push from air resistance, meaning gravity pulls them down more effectively — they accelerate more and fall faster.

> ✔ Final Answer: The person with the smaller parachute falls faster because it has less air resistance acting upward against gravity.

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Question 2: Describe all of the forces acting on the parachute. Make sure to state the direction of the force.

Answer:

There are two main forces acting on a falling parachute:

1. Gravity (Weight)
- Direction: Downward (toward the center of the Earth)
- Description: This is the pulling force that accelerates the parachute and person downward. It depends on their combined mass.

2. Air Resistance (Drag)
- Direction: Upward (opposite to the direction of motion)
- Description: This is the pushing force created by air molecules colliding with the large surface area of the parachute fabric. It slows the descent. The greater the surface area or speed, the stronger this force becomes.

> 💡 *Note:* At some point, if the parachute falls long enough, these two forces may become equal — this is called “terminal velocity.” But for the purpose of this question, we’re comparing which falls *faster*, so we focus on how the forces differ between the two parachutes.

> ✔ Final Answer:
> - Gravity: Acts downward.
> - Air resistance: Acts upward.
> The person with the smaller parachute experiences less upward air resistance, so the net downward force is greater, causing them to fall faster.

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Science Investigation (Bonus Explanation)

This part asks you to design an experiment using folded paper to test how surface area affects falling speed — mirroring the parachute concept.

How to conduct the experiment:

1. Take five identical pieces of paper.
2. Prepare them as follows:
- Paper A: Leave unfolded (largest surface area).
- Paper B: Fold in half once, tape closed.
- Paper C: Fold in half twice, tape closed.
- Paper D: Fold in half three times, tape closed.
- Paper E: Fold in half four times, tape closed (smallest surface area).

3. Drop each from the same height (e.g., a chair or table), one at a time, and observe which hits the ground first.

Expected Result:
- The most compact (most folded) paper will fall fastest.
- The flat, unfolded paper will fall slowest — it flutters and takes longer due to maximum air resistance.

Why?
Same principle as parachutes: More surface area = more air resistance = slower fall. Less surface area = less air resistance = faster fall.

> ✔ This experiment demonstrates the same physics as the parachute activity — air resistance depends on surface area.

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Summary

| Question | Answer |
|----------|--------|
| Who falls faster? | Person with smaller parachute |
| Why? | Smaller parachute → less air resistance → gravity dominates → faster fall |
| Forces on parachute? | Gravity (down), Air resistance (up) |

This activity teaches how opposing forces (gravity vs. air resistance) affect motion — a key concept in physics!

Let me know if you’d like a printable version or worksheet for students! 🪂