Forces on a parachutist
The parachutist stands on the plane.
Forces on a parachutist
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• What are the forces on him?
• Are they balanced?
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The parachutist jumps.
The parachute opens.
• What are the forces acting on him?
• Are they balanced?
• What happens to his speed?
• What happens to the forces?
• Are they balanced?
• What happens to his speed?
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The parachutist starts moving with constant speed
again.
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The parachutist lands.
What are the forces acting on him now?
Are they balanced?
• What has happened to the forces?
• Are they balanced?
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1
Forces on a parachutist
Draw a cartoon strip story for the parachute jump
Forces on a
parachutist
You need to include 5 stages:
•
•
•
•
•
the parachutist stands inside the plane
they have just jumped
their parachute opens
they move at a constant speed
they land on the ground.
For each stage include the following:
For each stage include the following:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
names of the forces
force arrows
changes in speed
whether the forces balanced or unbalanced.
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names of the forces
force arrows
changes in speed
if the forces balanced or unbalanced.
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Teaching notes
Slides 1-6 can be used to enable students to discuss the forces acting on a
parachutist at different stages of their descent.
Students could add arrows and labels to the pictures on the board and be
encouraged to explain what they have put.
Check their understanding by asking them to make a cartoon story about a
parachute jump (slide 7). They could do this on A4 paper folded to give 6
boxes.
For a useful video to show students try
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQR45NAkq0w (link available at the time
of publishing).
The resource ‘ Forces and motion’ (21548) could be used as a starter to check
students’ prior knowledge and understanding.
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