Question

A parachutist jumps out of a plane at an altitude of 3000 meters. The parachutist unfolds his parachute when he reaches a height of 800 m. Then the parachute is unfolded, the parachutist will:

(a) continue to fall downwards but the speed quickly becomes significantly slower;

(b) stop for a moment, and then continue to fall, but slower than before the parachute unfolded;

(c) go up for a moment, and then continue to fall, but slower than before the parachute unfolded;

(d) go up for a moment, and then continue to fall at the same speed as before the parachute unfolded;

Motivate your answer!

Answer 1

when the parachute is unfolded, the parachute will provide a high deceleration in comparison to the acceleration due to gravity. But, due to the weight of the parachutist, the net force is acting downwards. So the free fall continues at a much lower speed. Hence, when the parachute is unfolded, the parachutist will:

(a) continue to fall downwards but the speed quickly becomes significantly slower;