Does a parachutist considered as a free falling object?

Question

Does a parachutist considered as a free falling object?

Answer 1

In physics, Free falling = falling under the action of gravity ONLY. It's an accelerated motion.

An opened parachute is acted upon by both gravity and air resistance, which is important. Its motion is decelerated, then becomes uniform.

Answer 2

They are in free fall for a few seconds until they pull the string and the parachute comes out.

Answer 3

Free fall is defined as "the hypothetical fall of a body such that the only force acting upon it is that of gravity." Even though the definition does exclude other forces like aerodynamic drag, in nontechnical usage falling through our atmosphere is commonly referred to as free fall as well. Thus, once the parachutist pulls the rip-cord, the free fall is (hopefully) over.

Answer 4

Initially it is in free fall. After the parachute opens, it is not in free fall because now we need to consider upward force by air.

Answer 5

It's still free fall after the parachute opens, despite what the others say.

Free fall speed varies a lot, with air resistance. The parachute increases your air resistance and slows down the free fall speed.

.