An aid crate is dropped from a transport plane to the ground.
The crate is initially attached to three identical deployed parachutes and falls through the air.
After some time, the crate falls at a constant speed. State the name given to this constant speed.
Explain, in terms of forces and acceleration, why this speed remains constant.
On another drop, an identical crate is released, but only two of its three parachutes successfully open. Explain how the final constant speed of this crate compares to that of the first crate.
In a different application, drag racing cars deploy a parachute behind them immediately after crossing the finish line to assist their wheel brakes. Explain what would happen to the stopping distance of the dragster if the parachute failed to deploy.