GCSE Physics (Edexcel) — Skydiver & Parachute: Forces to Terminal Velocity

Weight (↓ constant)

Drag (↑ increases with speed)

Velocity (changes size with speed)

Altitude

— m

Speed

— m·s⁻¹

Acceleration

— m·s⁻²

Forces

W=— N, D=— N

How this matches GCSE (Edexcel)

Weight is constant: W = mg (mass × gravitational field strength, g ≈ 9.81 m·s⁻²).
Drag increases with speed: D = ½ ρ C_d A v² (opposes motion).
Terminal velocity when resultant force = 0 → drag ≈ weight, so acceleration ≈ 0.
Open the parachute: larger C_dA → much lower terminal speed; drag may briefly exceed weight so the diver decelerates.
Links to spec: resultant force & acceleration (F = ma), motion with resistive forces, terminal velocity (Edexcel GCSE Physics/Combined Science).

Tip: Ask students to explain why the drag arrow grows then settles, and why it can exceed weight just after opening the parachute (net force upwards).