A skydiver falls at constant terminal velocity. Which statement about the forces on the skydiver is correct?

Answer and explanation

Correct answer: B. The weight is balanced by an equal and opposite drag force

  1. Step 1: Constant velocity means zero resultant force (Newton's first law).
  2. Step 2: The downward weight must therefore be balanced by an equal upward drag force.
Answer
The weight is balanced by an equal and opposite drag force.
Why not the others: The weight is larger than the drag force, which is why the speed is constant: would give a resultant downwards force and so an acceleration. The drag force is zero because the velocity is not changing: drag grows with speed and is largest at terminal velocity. The drag force is larger than the weight, which keeps the speed constant: would give a resultant upwards force and so a deceleration.

Practise more Mechanics.

Free questions with an explanation for every one, and full timed ESAT (Engineering and Science Admissions Test) mock tests.

All Mechanics questionsTake a mock test

More Mechanics questions