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AS Daily A Level Physics question

2025-11-23 OCR A Mechanics & Materials (M3) 3.2.2(d)(i)

Which statement must be true when a skydiver falling belly-to-earth (parachute not yet deployed) has just reached terminal velocity?

  1. A The resultant force acts downward and equals the skydiver’s weight, so the speed is steady.
  2. B The upward drag force equals the skydiver’s weight, so the resultant and acceleration are zero. (correct)
  3. C The skydiver’s speed is zero because the acceleration is zero at terminal velocity.
  4. D Drag is zero at steady speed, so only the weight acts on the skydiver.

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.