Which one among the following diagrams may correctly represent the motion of a skydiver during a jump ?
Diagram (a)
Diagram (b)
Diagram (c)
Diagram (d)
Answer is Wrong!
Answer is Right!
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-2 – 2024
– The primary force acting initially is gravity, causing downward acceleration approximately equal to g (acceleration due to gravity). The skydiver’s velocity increases rapidly.
– As the skydiver’s velocity increases, air resistance (drag force) becomes significant. Drag force opposes the motion and increases with speed (often proportional to v or v²).
– The net downward force is the difference between gravity and drag (F_net = mg – F_drag). The acceleration is F_net/m.
– As speed increases, drag increases, so the net force decreases. This means the acceleration decreases over time.
– The velocity continues to increase, but the rate of increase slows down.
– Eventually, the drag force becomes equal in magnitude to the force of gravity. At this point, the net force is zero, and the acceleration is zero. The skydiver then falls at a constant velocity called terminal velocity.
– A velocity-time graph for this motion would start at v=0, show the velocity increasing with a slope (acceleration) that decreases over time, and finally level off at the terminal velocity. Diagram (b) is the standard representation of this type of motion.