6. A parachutist drops from a helicopter \(H\) and falls vertically from rest towards the ground. Her parachute opens 2 s after she leaves \(H\) and her speed then reduces to \(4 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\). For the first 2 s her motion is modelled as that of a particle falling freely under gravity. For the next 5 s the model is motion with constant deceleration, so that her speed is \(4 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) at the end of this period. For the rest of the time before she reaches the ground, the model is motion with constant speed of \(4 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\).
- Sketch a speed-time graph to illustrate her motion from \(H\) to the ground.
(3 marks) - Find her speed when the parachute opens.
(2 marks)
A safety rule states that the helicopter must be high enough to allow the parachute to open and for the speed of a parachutist to reduce to \(4 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) before reaching the ground. Using the assumptions made in the above model, - find the minimum height of \(H\) for which the woman can make a drop without breaking this safety rule.
(5 marks)
Given that \(H\) is 125 m above the ground when the woman starts her drop, - find the total time taken for her to reach the ground.
- State one way in which the model could be refined to make it more realistic.
(1 mark)