In theory, parachutes work because of the force of gravity. Gravity is a force of attraction between two objects, that is highly affected by size and proximity (gravity will have a stronger pull if the object are larger and close together). Gravity also differs from the mass of an object the more mass an object has the more gravity it will exert on the objects around it. When looking at really large masses, like the earth the gravitational pull becomes much greater because of its large mass. The earth's gravitational force pulls everything towards it with the same amount of force (9.807 m/s) which in theory means that an apple and a feather, when dropped from a high rised building, can hit the ground at the same time, The only thing preventing this is the air resistance. …show more content…
The earth's atmosphere is packed full of gas molecules, to move through the air we have to move these out of the way, we only really notice this when moving through the air or atmosphere at great speed , this in term is what air resistance is. Air resistance can be also known as ‘drag' and are in definition the forces in opposition to the relative motion of an object through the air. Air resistance depends on the speed of an object as well as the size of its surface, by opening your parachute you are creating a much larger area for the gas molecules to hit as well the curved design helping In a increased air resistance dramatically reducing your terminal