Skydiving vs. Free Falling — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Published on November 20, 2023
Skydiving is the sport of jumping from an aircraft, which encompasses free falling, the period before deploying a parachute. Free falling is purely the act of descending under gravity without any resistance.
Difference Between Skydiving and Free Falling
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Skydiving is an adrenaline-charged sport involving a series of events, starting with exiting an aircraft, progressing to free falling, and culminating with the deployment of a parachute to ensure a safe landing. On the contrary, free falling is a specific phase within skydiving where the diver experiences a rapid descent due to gravity without any significant air resistance.
Skydiving demands proper training, preparation, and often, specialized equipment. This encompasses understanding different phases, including the free falling segment. Free falling, in contrast, is a simple concept. It signifies the act of falling without any force counteracting gravity, and can be experienced in contexts other than skydiving, such as in a vacuum chamber.
Skydiving can be done solo or in tandem, requiring various skills and techniques, especially during free falling where maneuvers and formations can be executed. Free falling, isolated from the context of skydiving, is simply an unopposed drop due to gravity.
Comparison Chart
Definition
A sport of jumping from an aircraft and deploying a parachute.
Descending solely under the influence of gravity.
Context of Usage
Encompasses several phases including free falling.
A specific phase in skydiving; can be experienced elsewhere.
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Equipment Required
Parachute, altimeter, jumpsuit, etc.
None, unless within the context of skydiving.
Associated Skills
Altitude awareness, body positioning, parachute deployment.
Maintaining stability during descent.
Relation to Gravity
Experience influenced by gravity and air resistance.
Pure descent due to gravity without resistance.
Compare with Definitions
Skydiving
The sport of jumping from an aircraft and descending with a parachute.
Mark went skydiving for the first time and found it exhilarating.
Free Falling
Falling without any propulsion or resistance.
Objects in a vacuum experience true free falling.
Skydiving
The act of leaping from an aircraft, free falling, and then parachuting to the ground.
Skydiving enthusiasts often cite the feeling of free falling as their favorite part.
Free Falling
The act of descending solely under gravity's influence without external forces.
During her jump, she experienced 30 seconds of pure free falling.
Skydiving
An adventure activity involving a free fall followed by parachute deployment.
Skydiving offers thrill-seekers a unique blend of excitement and serenity.
Free Falling
The motion under only the force of gravity.
Skydivers enjoy the adrenaline rush of free falling.
Skydiving
A high-adrenaline sport requiring training and safety equipment.
Before trying skydiving, Lisa took a safety course to understand the essentials.
Free Falling
A rapid descent caused purely by gravitational pull.
Free falling gives one a momentary feeling of flying.
Skydiving
A controlled jump from an airplane, typically from several thousand feet.
The view during her skydiving experience was breathtaking.
Free Falling
A phase in skydiving before the parachute is deployed.
The sensation of free falling is often described as weightlessness.
Skydiving
To jump and fall freely from an airplane, often performing various maneuvers, before deploying a parachute.
Free Falling
Infl of free-fall
Skydiving
The practice of performing acrobatic movements during the freefall phase of a parachute jump.
Skydiving
Present participle of skydive
Skydiving
Performing acrobatics in free fall before pulling the ripcord of a parachute
Common Curiosities
Is equipment necessary for free falling?
Not for the act of free falling itself, but within the context of skydiving, safety equipment is essential.
How long does the free falling phase last in skydiving?
It varies, but typically, free falling lasts for a few seconds to about a minute in skydiving.
Do skydivers experience weightlessness during free falling?
While not true weightlessness, the sensation during free falling is often likened to it.
Can you control your movements during free falling in skydiving?
Yes, with training, skydivers can control their body position and even perform maneuvers during free falling.
What is the primary difference between skydiving and free falling?
Skydiving is the entire sport of jumping from an aircraft, whereas free falling is the specific phase of descending due to gravity before parachute deployment.
Can you experience free falling without skydiving?
Yes, free falling describes any descent under gravity without resistance, not just in skydiving.
Is training required for skydiving?
Yes, proper training is crucial for safe skydiving, including understanding the free falling phase.
Do you need a special suit for free falling?
In skydiving, jumpers often wear suits to help control their descent, but the act of free falling itself doesn't require a suit.
How high do you typically go for skydiving?
Common altitudes range from 10,000 to 15,000 feet, but it can vary based on the type of jump and location.
Is free falling the longest phase of a skydiving jump?
Often, but it depends on the jump's altitude and when the parachute is deployed.
Is free falling dangerous?
In skydiving, free falling is relatively safe with proper training and equipment. However, it's the phase with the highest speed.
How fast do you fall during the free falling phase of skydiving?
Terminal velocity, or the fastest speed reached by a skydiver in free fall, is around 120 mph.
Can you skydive without experiencing free falling?
Not typically, as free falling is a fundamental phase before deploying the parachute in skydiving.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
