Shortly after opening her parachute, a free-fall parachutist of mass 60kg experiences the forcesshown in the diagram. Which line in the table gives the size and direction of the acceleration of the parachutist at this instance?

Answer:

3) C

Resultant force = 900N – 600N = 300N upwards

Direction would be upwards as the drag force (upward force) is greater than weight (downward force).

We know that Force = mass x acceleration; Acceleration = Force/Mass

Force = 300N
Mass = 60kg (given in question)
Acceleration = Force/Mass = 300/60 = 5 m/s²