Question 23
Original source text (the exact panel preserves diagram labels, tables and choices):
A skydiver jumps out of an airplane and initially accelerates downward due to
gravity. After a while, the skydiver reaches a constant speed and no longer
accelerates. What can be said about the forces acting on the skydiver at this
point?
A. The gravitational force is stronger than the air resistance, which is why the
skydiver keeps moving downward.
B. The air resistance has become equal to the gravitational force, so the
skydiver moves at a constant speed.
C. The gravitational force is weaker than the air resistance, which is why the
skydiver stops accelerating.
D. The skydiver’s weight decreases, which balances the forces and stops
acceleration.
A skydiver jumps out of an airplane and initially accelerates downward due to
gravity. After a while, the skydiver reaches a constant speed and no longer
accelerates. What can be said about the forces acting on the skydiver at this
point?
A. The gravitational force is stronger than the air resistance, which is why the
skydiver keeps moving downward.
B. The air resistance has become equal to the gravitational force, so the
skydiver moves at a constant speed.
C. The gravitational force is weaker than the air resistance, which is why the
skydiver stops accelerating.
D. The skydiver’s weight decreases, which balances the forces and stops
acceleration.