Skydiver Speed vs Height Graph · CAP 2008 #B3

Physics · mechanics

Problem

A skydiver jumps out of a plane at an altitude of 2000 m and begins her descent. At 1500 m, the skydiver reaches her terminal speed of 55 m/s. When the skydiver descends to a height of 500 m from the ground, she deploys her parachute which rapidly slows her down to 5 m/s to ensure a safe landing. Qualitatively, sketch the (vertical) speed of the skydiver as a function of height above ground starting just after she jumps out of the plane and finishing just before she lands.

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