# Explain why a skydiver reaches a terminal velocity before opening their parachute.

> AQA GCSE Physics (8463) — 4.5.1 Forces and their interactions · Explain · 4 marks

> A skydiver jumps from an aircraft and falls towards the ground. At first they accelerate, but after some time they fall at a constant speed called terminal velocity.

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. Weight (downwards) is greater than air resistance (upwards) at the start, so there is a resultant force downwards
2. As the skydiver accelerates / speed increases, air resistance increases
3. The resultant force decreases as air resistance increases, so acceleration decreases
4. Terminal velocity is reached when air resistance equals weight, so the resultant force is zero and the skydiver moves at constant speed

## Key terms

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

## Related

- [Revision notes for AQA GCSE Physics (8463)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/explain-why-a-skydiver-reaches-a-69547994) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.