The skydiver's velocity after two seconds is
downward. The direction is downward because the acceleration due to gravity acts in the downward direction.
How did we get the value?
To determine the skydiver's velocity after two seconds, we can use the equation of motion under constant acceleration:
![\[ v = u + at \]](https://img.qammunity.org/2024/formulas/physics/high-school/jj5t8jswdurvge74y9dps6sai8hmz86hen.png)
Where:
- v is the final velocity,
- u is the initial velocity,
- a is the acceleration,
- t is the time.
Assuming the skydiver starts from rest, the initial velocity u is 0. The acceleration a is the acceleration due to gravity, which is approximately
and acts downward. The time t is given as 2 seconds.
Now, plug in the values into the equation:
![\[ v = 0 + (9.8 \, \text{m/s}^2) * (2 \, \text{s}) \]](https://img.qammunity.org/2024/formulas/physics/high-school/aqtz2c8m8jinssqhxzgl1hypu9mlb8le5e.png)
![\[ v = 19.6 \, \text{m/s} \]](https://img.qammunity.org/2024/formulas/physics/high-school/ol19svn5p0hixr1tozxpigly53pw5jsuyh.png)
So, the skydiver's velocity after two seconds is
downward. The direction is downward because the acceleration due to gravity acts in the downward direction.