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Parachutes and Terminal Velocity
At a height of 60 km the two modules of the rocket separated and the passenger module fell back to Earth.
Using parachutes causes the passenger module to fall with a lower terminal velocity than if parachutes were not used.
Explain why the parachutes allow the passenger module to fall with a lower terminal velocity.
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Marking points
- 1 States that opening the parachutes increases effective area.
- 2 Links the larger area to obtaining the same air resistance at a lower speed.
- 3 Explains that air resistance equals weight/resultant force becomes zero at that lower speed.
Full-mark answer
Opening the parachutes increases the effective area. This means the same air resistance is produced at a lower speed. Air resistance therefore becomes equal to the module's weight, so the resultant force is zero, at a lower speed.
Why this answer loses marks
The parachutes create more air resistance, so the module slows down.
To explain the lower terminal velocity, link the larger effective area to the same air resistance being reached at a lower speed, where air resistance balances weight.