When you bend your knees while landing after a jump, what effect does this have on your acceleration?

When you bend your knees while landing after a jump, it decreases your stopping acceleration. This action effectively increases the time over which your body comes to a stop. By bending your knees, you allow your body to gradually decelerate rather than experiencing an abrupt stop. According to Newton's second law of motion, acceleration is determined by the change in velocity over time. A longer time taken to stop means that the deceleration, or stopping acceleration, will be less intense.

If you were to land with straight legs, the force exerted on your body would be much greater in a shorter timeframe, leading to a higher stopping acceleration. By bending your knees, you reduce the force experienced at the joints and muscles, which not only makes landing safer but also helps to absorb the impact more effectively. This technique is essential in sports and physical activities to prevent injuries from high impact landings.