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Date May 2009 Marks available 1 Reference code 09M.1.SL.TZ1.3
Level Standard level Paper Paper 1 Time zone Time zone 1
Command term Question number 3 Adapted from N/A

Question

A skydiver jumped out of an airplane. On reaching a terminal speed of 60 ms1, she opened her parachute. Which of the following describes her motion after opening her parachute?

A.     She went upwards for a short time, before falling to Earth at a speed of 60 ms1.

B.     She continued downwards at 60 ms1, but hit the ground with less force.

C.     She continued to fall but reached a new terminal speed of less than 60 ms1.

D.     She went upwards for a short time, before falling to Earth at a speed of less than 60 ms1.

Markscheme

C

Examiners report

The correct response was selected by the majority of candidates but a large proportion assumed that on deployment of the parachute, the parachutist would travel upwards. This was presumably as a result of having seen film of parachutists, where the parachutist being filmed appears to travel upwards relative to the camera, as their parachute is deployed.

Syllabus sections

Core » Topic 2: Mechanics » 2.1 – Motion
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