The figure given below shows the direction of the two forces P and Q acting on a skydiver :

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Which one among the following statements is correct about the two forces?

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NDA-II 2024 (GAT) Official Paper (Held On: 01 Sept, 2024)
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  1. Force P is caused by the gravity and force Q is caused by the friction
  2. When the force P is bigger than the force Q, the speed of the skydiver remains the same
  3. After the parachute opens, force P remains the same while force Q increases
  4. After the parachute opens, force P decreases while force Q increases

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 3 : After the parachute opens, force P remains the same while force Q increases
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Detailed Solution

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CONCEPT:

Forces Acting on a Skydiver

  • When a skydiver jumps out of an airplane, they experience two primary forces acting on them: the force of gravity (P) and the force of air resistance or friction (Q).
  • The force of gravity (P) pulls the skydiver downward towards the Earth.
  • The force of air resistance (Q) acts in the opposite direction, upward, and it increases with the skydiver's speed.

EXPLANATION:

  • When the skydiver's parachute is opened, the following happens:
    • Force P (gravity) remains the same because it is dependent on the mass of the skydiver and the gravitational pull, both of which do not change.
    • Force Q (air resistance) increases significantly because the parachute increases the surface area, thereby increasing air resistance.
  • Therefore, the correct statement is:

    After the parachute opens, force P remains the same while force Q increases.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 3: After the parachute opens, force P remains the same while force Q increases.

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