How do you describe a sky divers jump from an airplane to the ground?
Standing in the doorway of the airplane, your velocity in the Y direction is zero. This is because the lift from the planes wings offsets the effects of gravity. With one jump you begin accelerating towards earth at 32 ft/sec². As you fall towards earth you continue to increase speed until the drag, “air resistance” of your body is equal to your weight. This is where you reach your terminal velocity, around 120 mph. With a quick glance at your altimeter, you realize you still have time to experiment. You pull your legs together and put your arms to your sides. By streamlining your body you reduce your air resistance and begin to accelerate again. You’ll keep going faster and faster until the air resistance (drag) of this streamlined position equals your weight. If you’re really good, you might exceed 180 mph. As you move your arms and legs out, you begin to slow down until you reach that 120 mph terminal velocity in a normal skydiver position. With the earth rapidly approaching, you fi
