AS Daily A Level Physics question
Which statement must be true when a skydiver falling belly-to-earth (parachute not yet deployed) has just reached terminal velocity?
Answer
The correct answer is B.
Correct: B — The upward drag force equals the skydiver’s weight, so the resultant and acceleration are zero. A The resultant is not equal to the weight at terminal speed; it is zero because drag balances weight. B This correctly states force balance giving zero acceleration and a constant non-zero speed. C Zero acceleration means constant speed, not zero speed. D Drag does not vanish at steady speed; it remains equal and opposite to weight to keep the motion uniform.