Intelligent assessment and revision tools for OCR A Physics

A skydiver is falling steadily at terminal speed in a spread‑eagle position. They quickly tuck into a narrower shape, keeping the same mass and altitude. Immediately after tucking, which statement about the net force, acceleration, and speed is most accurate?

• A The net force becomes downward, so acceleration is downward and the speed increases toward a higher terminal value.
• B The net force becomes upward, so acceleration is upward and the speed decreases toward a lower terminal value.
• C The forces remain balanced, so acceleration is zero and the speed stays the same.
• D The net force is downward but the acceleration is upward, so the speed decreases because the drag is reduced.