This means Link would have to be able to lift something over twice his weight. As protagonist I'm sure he can do it just fine. As something similar to human being - with arms as frail as his I pretty doubt it.

Let's assume it takes two seconds to open parachute and reduce the falling speed to minimum. Then the force that Link will have to endure is equal:

F= m*∆v/∆t = (50kg*(53-7.7)m/s)/2s = 1132.5N

Which is approximately the force we need to lift something that weights 115.5 kg.

Now the change of momentum due to air resistance force (which is also the force which will act on Links hands) is proportional to change of Links speed.

∆p=m*∆v

and due to conservation of momentum:

m*∆v = F*∆t

Using Internet I've found out maximum free fall speed of human skidivers to be around 53 m/s while speed of falling with parachute opened is around 7.7 m/s. We need to estimate Links's weight - he looks rather scrawny, let's say he has 50 kg.

Let's do some science guys.

As Steve Smith mentioned let's use conservation of of momentum for our calculations.

∆p=F*∆t

We also know that p=m*v, where m is Links mass and v is his falling speed.

Because F=∆E/d and F=∆p/t both equations do show an excessive amount of force on Link's arms, but the parachute makes the mechanical energy in the system go down. Energy is conserved due to the laws of the universe, but we're only looking at the system , to determine the force.

@Michael Arnold well KE is 1/2 m*v2 (don't know superscript) And I guess the parachute could be acting as a force in the opposite plane of motion, since ∆E=Fd? I guess it works, but using J instead of N*s. Still, it's not con of energy, it's change in e(since the parachute is a non-con force)

How will he fap? D:

Oh dear. Hope you get well. I had to do one of those late last year.

@ninetails: WAIT WHAT?! (not that I was ever into metroid a whole lot but,) that's good right?!

We need to see more of these "classic wordless strips". They're just great!
I still of course enjoy dialogue but these wordless ones are wonderful.

@Jonathan santos: You shouldn't be, at the height he did that he either was close to the ground and fell a short distance at a high speed or he did that high in the air, lost his grip and fell at a high distance at high speed. He should be dead. I'm disappointed in you.

You're letting someone examine you're bowels? Hope everything's Ok in there.

I always DID wonder how he still had arms after doing this :|

bad time to mention that right as "zamus" got introduced, two new metroid games got introduced?

well, momentum is a kind of kinetic energy? So it does still work, it's just not very specific?

(of course my first comment would be about a physics equation)

As a note, this is actually a conservation of momentum problem. p=F∆t, since you have a force in the negative direction (the parachute) trying to cause a change in momentum. Con of energy is more the speed at which he would be.

make sure to get someone to drive you back, las time i did one of this i almost ended up on the wrong side of São Paulo

@NerfNow Don't worry about your endoscopy, mate! It is a pretty safe procedure. I'm sure your physician has already explained to you, but you'll just be sedated for the duration of the exam, so you won't feel (or remember) a thing when it's done!... except a little sleepy.

Either way, get well!

And that right there is the reason all fearless adventurer-types should wear "Aperture Science Long Fall Boots (patent pending)": the foot-based armor for you and your stuff.

As a XKCD fan, I'm very pleased

"Conservation Of Energy" in a world where actually falling that height would just make you lose some hearts instead of breaking every bone in your body at once.

The speed at which you land isn't a joke, either.

Comic is great, hope the endoscopy goes well!

its fine just like always

Every time!