A parachutist of mass 100 kg exited an aircraft at a height of 6000 m above the

ground. He allowed himself to freefall for the first 30 s upon exiting the aircraft.
After freefalling for 30 s, the parachutist opened his parachute so that his speed
would be slowed down gradually to 2.0 m/s. He then continues his descent at a
constant speed of 2.0 m/s until he lands on the ground.
(i)

How high was the parachutist above the ground when he opened his
parachute? (2)
Find the KE of the parachutist just before he opened his parachute. (1)
Sketch the KE-time graph of the parachutist from the time he exits the
aircraft until the time he opens his parachute. (1)
Find the highest velocity reached by the parachutist for the whole
journey of descent. (1)
Find the Work Done by the force of air resistance on the parachute for
the time the parachute was descending at a constant speed of 2.0 m/s.
(2)
On the same axes below, sketch the PE-time and KE-time graph of the
parachutist from the time he attained constant speed of 2.0 m/s until
the time he lands on the ground. Label the graphs PE and KE. (2)
Explain whether the total energy of the parachutist is conserved when
it is falling with constant speed. (1)

(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)

(vi)

(vii)

Answer:
s = 0.5 at2 = 0.5 (10)(30)2 = 4500 m
He was 6000 m 4500 m = 1500 m above the ground.
KE = GPE = mgh = 100(10)(4500) = 4500000 J = 4.5 x 10 6 J

(i)
(ii)
(iii)

KE / J
4.5 x 106

Graph is a y = x2 graph
(iv)
(v)

30

time / s

Highest velocity occurs just before parachutist opens the parachute.

0.5 mv2 = 4.5 x 106 J
v = 300 m/s
When the parachutist reached constant speed (i.e. terminal velocity),
air resistance = weight.
Work done by force of air resistance on parachute = F d// = -W d// =
-100(10) (1500) = 1500000 J = - 1.5 x 106 J (work done is negative
because direction of force is opposite to displacement.)

(vi)
Energy / J

PE

200

KE
time / s

(vii)

Yes it is conserved. Gravitational potential energy is transformed to

thermal energy of surrounding air.