Question
CCEA Unit 1 Paper — 6-mark extended answer
A skydiver jumps from a plane. Describe how and why the skydiver's velocity changes from the moment of jumping until terminal velocity is reached. You should refer to Newton's laws in your answer. (6 marks)
Mark scheme (6 marks — indicative content):
- Initially, only weight acts downward (no air resistance yet) so resultant force is large downward (1)
- By Newton's 2nd law (F = ma), the skydiver accelerates downward (1)
- As speed increases, air resistance (drag) increases upward (1)
- Resultant force decreases (weight − drag); acceleration decreases (Newton's 2nd law) (1)
- Eventually drag equals weight; resultant force = zero (Newton's 1st law) (1)
- Skydiver falls at constant terminal velocity (1)
Award 6 marks for a full, logically sequenced response using Newton's laws correctly. Partial credit for correct physics even without explicit law reference.
Total: 6 marks.
6 marks · take your time before peeking.
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Generated by TopMyGrade AI · cross-check official sources before relying on the mark-scheme phrasing.