Physics (AS & A Level) · Oct / Nov 2023 · Paper 11 · Question 5

A parachutist falls from a stationary balloon at time t = 0. The velocity–time graph for the parachutist from time t = 0 until the time when he is just above the ground is shown. [velocity-time graph with velocity on vertical axis and time on horizontal axis, points marked 0, P, Q, R, S on time axis] Which graph best shows the variation with time of the acceleration of the parachutist?

1. A[acceleration-time graph: starts at positive value at t=0, decreases to zero at P, remains zero until Q, then negative dip between Q and R, returning to zero at R and staying zero to S]
2. B[acceleration-time graph: starts at positive value at t=0, decreases to zero at P, remains zero until Q, then large negative dip between Q and R, returning to zero at R and staying zero to S]
3. C[acceleration-time graph: starts at negative value at t=0, increases to zero at P, remains zero until Q, then positive spike between Q and R, returning to zero at R and staying zero to S]
4. D[acceleration-time graph: starts at negative value at t=0, increases to zero at P, remains zero until Q, then large positive spike between Q and R, returning to zero at R and staying zero to S]

As printed in the paper