(a) The diagram shows the forces acting on a parachutist in free fall.

The parachutist has a mass of 75 kg.

Calculate the weight of the parachutist.

gravitational field strength = 10 N/kg

Show clearly how you work out your answer and give the unit.

Weight = ...................................
(3 marks)

(b) In this question you will be assessed on using good English, organising information clearly and using specialist terms where appropriate.

The graph shows how the vertical velocity of a parachutist changes from the moment the parachutist jumps from the aircraft until landing on the ground.

Using the idea of forces, explain why the parachutist reaches a terminal velocity and why opening the parachute reduces the terminal velocity.

(6 marks)

(c) A student wrote the following hypothesis.

‘The larger the area of a parachute, the slower a parachutist falls.’

To test this hypothesis the student made three model parachutes, A, B and C, from one large plastic bag. The student dropped each parachute from the same height and timed how long each parachute took to fall to the ground.

(i) The height that the student dropped the parachute from was a control variable.

Name one other control variable in this experiment.

(1 mark)

Use the student’s hypothesis to predict which parachute, A, B or C, will hit the ground first.

Give a reason for your answer.

(2 marks)

How did you do? Click to view the Mark Scheme Answers

From Q3 P2 AQA June 2012 (Higher)