[o[2].[2] A parachute opens during the spacecraft’s descent through the atmosphere. Figure 2 shows the parachute—spacecraft system, with the open parachute displacing
the atmospheric gas. This causes the system to decelerate.
Figure 2
_--» displacement of gas

parachute — \
direction \
of travel \

/
. . ——~ spacecraft
displacement of gas
Explain, with reference to Newton's laws of motion, why displacing the atmospheric
gas causes a force on the system and why this force causes the system to
decelerate.
[4 marks]