Change one thing
Keep the payload mass fixed and compare different canopy areas. Larger canopies give lower limiting speeds in this model.
Parachute Drop
Change canopy area and payload mass, then step through a drop to explore gravity, air resistance and limiting speed.
Grades 3–5 · Physics
Your goal
Choose a 4 m² canopy and 2 kg payload. Drop it and observe at least 3 seconds.
Reduced motion is on. The controls still update the scene.
Ready at 40 m. The limiting fall speed for this canopy and payload is 5.22 m/s.
m²
kg
A fully open ideal canopy falls straight down from rest with quadratic air drag. Gravity is 9.8 m/s², air density is 1.2 kg/m³ and drag coefficient is 1.2. Canopy mass, opening time, wind and bouncing are ignored. This classroom model cannot forecast a real parachute landing.
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Learn with Parachute Drop
Parachute Drop introduces students in grades 3–5 to the balance between gravity and air resistance. Change the canopy area or payload mass, release the parachute from a fixed height and advance the clock in short steps. The readouts show height, elapsed time and fall speed, including the limiting speed approached during the fall. Compare a wide canopy with a narrow one, or test a heavier payload, to explain why different designs land at different speeds in this simplified classroom model.
What to look for
Follow the clock
Drop the parachute, then advance one or five seconds. Notice how speed approaches a limit while height keeps decreasing.
Compare payloads
Use the same canopy with different payload masses. A heavier payload needs a higher fall speed for drag to balance its weight.
For teachers and curious learners
Observe how canopy area and payload mass affect a falling object with air resistance. Ask students to predict what will happen, change one setting, and explain what they observe. Learn gives a starting point. Practice and Challenge offer new goals with the same scene.
A fully open ideal canopy falls vertically from rest with quadratic drag, gravity 9.8 m/s², air density 1.2 kg/m³ and drag coefficient 1.2. Wind, canopy mass, deployment and bouncing are omitted. This is not a real parachute forecast.
Continue with Gravity and Falling Lab .
Continue with Projectile with Air Resistance .