AQA GCSE Triple Science – Physics Practice Test

During a fall, what happens to energy as the skydiver accelerates?

Kinetic energy decreases as potential energy increases Potential energy decreases while kinetic energy increases; some energy becomes thermal due to air resistance Total energy increases Energy is created during the fall

Correct Answer:

Potential energy decreases while kinetic energy increases; some energy becomes thermal due to air resistance

Explanation:

When a skydiver falls, gravity is doing work that turns gravitational potential energy into kinetic energy, so the speed increases. At the same time, air resistance acts opposite the motion and takes some of that energy away, warming the air and the diver. So the potential energy decreases, the kinetic energy increases, and some energy is transformed into thermal energy due to drag. Overall energy is conserved when you include the heat produced, but the mechanical energy (kinetic plus potential) drops as energy is dissipated as heat.

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