When the skydiver has reached terminal speed and remains in a state of dynamic equilibrium, we know the size of the drag force must be equal to the skydiver’s weight, but in the opposite direction. In...When the skydiver has reached terminal speed and remains in a state of dynamic equilibrium, we know the size of the drag force must be equal to the skydiver’s weight, but in the opposite direction. In order to analyze the early part of the skydive, or the motion of any object that is not in equilibrium, we need to learn how to quantify changes in speed and/or direction.
