Falling (sensation)  From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump
to: navigation, search For other uses, see Falling.  A sensation
of falling occurs when the labyrinth or vestibular apparatus, a
system of fluid-filled passages in the inner ear, detects
changes in acceleration. This sensation can occur when a person
begins to fall, which in terms of mechanics amounts to a sudden
acceleration increase from zero to roughly 9.8 m/s2. If the body
is in free fall (for example, during skydiving) with no other
momenta (rotation, etc.) there is no falling sensation. This
almost never occurs in real-life falling situations because when
the faller leaves his support there are usually very significant
quantities of residual momenta such as rotation and these
momenta continue as the person falls, causing a sensation of
dysphoria. The faller doesn't fall straight down but spins,
flips, etc. due to these residual momenta and also due to the
asymmetric forces of air resistance on his asymmetric body.
While velocity continues t