# A skydiver jumps from an aircraft and falls towards the Earth. Initially, the skydiver accelerates downwards. After some time, the skydiver reaches terminal velocity. Explain why the skydiver first accelerates and then reaches terminal velocity, using Newton's First and Second Laws.

> OCR GCSE Physics A: Gateway Science (J249) — P2.2 Newton's laws · Explain · 4 marks

> A skydiver jumps from an aircraft at high altitude. At the moment of jumping, air resistance is very small. As the skydiver falls faster, air resistance increases. Eventually, the skydiver stops accelerating and falls at a constant speed known as terminal velocity.

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. At the start of the fall, weight (gravitational force) is greater than air resistance, so there is a resultant force acting downwards.
2. By Newton's Second Law, the resultant force causes the skydiver to accelerate downwards.
3. As the skydiver's speed increases, air resistance increases until it equals the skydiver's weight, giving a resultant force of zero / balanced forces.
4. By Newton's First Law, when the resultant force is zero, the skydiver continues at a constant velocity — this is terminal velocity.

## Key terms

- [terminal velocity](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/terminal-velocity)

## Related

- [Revision notes for OCR GCSE Physics A: Gateway Science (J249)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/a-skydiver-jumps-from-an-aircraft-b3302104) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.