free-fall
Gravity's unopposed pull
Free-fall describes the motion of a body falling through space under the influence of gravity alone, with no other forces acting on it—the state a skydiver experiences before opening a parachute.
By extension, free-fall characterizes any rapid, uncontrolled decline: The stock market went into free-fall after the announcement.
As a verb, to free-fall is to drop in this manner.
The hyphenated form is standard, though free fall as two words also appears.
Informal term for weightlessness
- microgravityExtremely weak gravitational force
- floatingStaying atop liquid
- astronautSpacecraft crew member
- spaceUnoccupied area or interval
orbit · suspension · drift · levitation · spacecraft · ISS · suborbital · spacewalk
Sudden structural failure
- plummetRapid downward descent
- crashSudden violent impact
- nosediveSudden steep descent
- declineDecrease or refuse
downturn · slump · plunge · spiral · meltdown · recession · depreciation · correction
Drag-creating descent device
- dropzoneAerial delivery target area
- jumpmasterAircraft exit controller
- altimeterInstrument measuring elevation
- jumpsuitOne-piece body garment
skydiver · tandem · canopy · wingsuit · HALO · rigging · tracking · deployment
Mutual mass attraction
- accelerationRate velocity changes
- velocityDirected rate of motion
- aerodynamicsPhysics of air motion
- massQuantity of matter
momentum · drag · newton · g-force · trajectory · deceleration · impact
Emergency response hormone
- rushQuick sudden movement
- exhilarationIntense joyful excitement
- heart-poundingCausing intense physical excitement
- vertigoSensation of spinning
scream · daredevil · extreme · fear · anticipation · breathtaking · euphoria · plunge
zero-g
Informal term for weightlessness
- microgravityExtremely weak gravitational force
- floatingStaying atop liquid
- astronautSpacecraft crew member
space · orbit · suspension · drift · levitation · spacecraft · ISS · suborbital · spacewalk
collapse
Sudden structural failure
decline · downturn · slump · plunge · spiral · meltdown · recession · depreciation · correction · volatility
parachute
Drag-creating descent device
- dropzoneAerial delivery target area
- jumpmasterAircraft exit controller
- altimeterInstrument measuring elevation
jumpsuit · skydiver · tandem · canopy · wingsuit · HALO · rigging · tracking · deployment
gravity
Mutual mass attraction
- accelerationRate velocity changes
- velocityDirected rate of motion
- aerodynamicsPhysics of air motion
mass · momentum · drag · newton · g-force · trajectory · deceleration · impact
adrenaline
Emergency response hormone
- rushQuick sudden movement
- exhilarationIntense joyful excitement
- heart-poundingCausing intense physical excitement
vertigo · scream · daredevil · extreme · fear · anticipation · breathtaking · euphoria · plunge · dizzying
free-fallhover
Remain suspended midair
controlled flight · float · glide · levitation · controlled descent