AIR RESISTANCE AND TERMINAL VELOCITY
2 marks · EasyDescribe what happens to the forces acting on a skydiver just after jumping out of a plane, and how these forces change as the skydiver speeds up.
Work this out on paper, then compare with the answer and worked solution below. With a free account you can submit written answers for marking.
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Must show: Initially air resistance is small, Only weight acts significantly at first; air resistance increases as speed increases
Also accept: At first only weight acts, then air resistance increases as the skydiver falls faster
Common mistakes: Stating air resistance is always the same; Forgetting to mention increasing air resistance as speed increases
Show mark scheme and worked solution
Marking points
B1 · 1 mark · States that only weight (gravity) acts significantly just after jumping
B2 · 1 mark · Mentions that air resistance increases as the skydiver speeds up
Worked solution
Just after jumping, the skydiver's weight (force of gravity) acts downwards, and air resistance is very small because speed is low.
As the skydiver falls faster, air resistance increases.