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A free-fall parachutist is falling straight down - Edexcel - GCSE Physics - Question 5 - 2018 - Paper 1
Question 5
A free-fall parachutist is falling straight down. This is a velocity/time graph of the first part of the jump, before the parachute is opened. (a) Which of these p... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:A free-fall parachutist is falling straight down - Edexcel - GCSE Physics - Question 5 - 2018 - Paper 1
Step 1
Which of these points on the graph shows the largest acceleration?
Answer
To determine which point shows the largest acceleration, we need to examine the graph for the steepest gradient. The steepness of the slope on a velocity/time graph indicates acceleration. Looking at the points:
- Point P: Low gradient.
- Point Q: Moderate gradient.
- Point R: Steeper gradient than Q.
- Point S: Also steep, but slightly less than R.
Comparing these, Point R shows the largest acceleration due to its steep slope.
Step 2
Estimate the distance that the parachutist falls in the first 2.5 s.
Answer
To estimate the distance fallen, we can use the area under the velocity/time graph from 0 to 2.5 s.
The area consists of a trapezoid (from 0 to 2.5 s).
- Calculate the area of the trapezoid:
- Height (velocity at 2.5s, approximately 10 m/s) + (velocity at 0s, which is 0 m/s) = 10 m/s
- The base lengths are 2.5 s and 0 s.
- Area = (1/2) * (Base1 + Base2) * Height = (1/2) * (2.5 + 0) * 10 = 12.5 m.
Thus, the distance the parachutist falls in the first 2.5 s is approximately 12.5 meters.