A skydiver jumps from a plane, and the positive direction is taken as downward. Which kinematic equation would you use to find her velocity 2.0 s after the jump, before she opens her parachute?
Av = v_0 + at
Bv = v_0 - at
Cv^2 = v_0^2 + 2ad
Dv^2 = v_0^2 - 2ad
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: A. v = v_0 + at
1. Displacement is not asked for, so the equation should not require it.
2. Only v = v_0 + at connects time and acceleration to velocity without needing a displacement value.
3. With v_0 known (0 at the jump) and a = g downward, this equation gives v directly.
_Source: OpenStax Physics (CC BY 4.0), Ch 3 "Acceleration", section 3.2 Representing Acceleration with Equations and Graphs_
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