Why do people who fall from 3 stories or up get injure/die, but ski jumpers who reach heights of 100+ feet feel barely anything at all?
Skiers are not landing on a flat concrete slab like the people falling. They are landing on steeply sloped snow. It is not the fall that kills you, but the sudden stop at the end.
The Short Answer
Skiers are not landing on a flat concrete slab like the people falling. They are landing on steeply sloped snow. It is not the fall that kills you, but the sudden stop at the end. Notice the ski jumpers, when they hit the ground, are still moving at a similar speed. If they ran straight into a sidewalk at that speed they would most certainly die.
Analysis
Key Concepts: Landing, speed, skiers
This explanation focuses on landing, speed, skiers and spans 66 words across 5 sentences. The depth is typical for Psychology questions (category average: 68 words), striking a balance between accessibility and completeness.
What This Answer Covers
The explanation opens with: “Skiers are not landing on a flat concrete slab like the people falling.” It then elaborates by presenting a contrasting perspective, ultimately building toward a complete picture across 5 connected points.
How This Compares in Psychology
Ranked #214 of 500 Psychology questions by answer depth (top 44%). This falls in the detailed tier — above average depth. The explanation goes beyond surface-level but keeps things accessible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a simple explanation for why people who fall from 3 stories or up get injure/die, but ski jumpers who reach heights of 100+ feet feel barely anything at all?
Skiers are not landing on a flat concrete slab like the people falling. They are landing on steeply sloped snow. It is not the fall that kills you, but the sudden stop at the end. Notice the ski jumpers, when they hit the ground, are still moving…
How detailed is this explanation compared to similar Psychology questions?
This is an above-average answer at 66 words, ranked #214 of 500 Psychology questions by depth. The key concepts covered are landing, speed, skiers.
What approach does this answer take to explain people who fall from 3 stories or up get injure/die, but ski?
The explanation uses contrasting perspectives across 66 words. It is categorized under Psychology and addresses the question through 1 analytical lens.