A 75kg guy base jumped from a cliff in Norway. A 100N air resistance force acted on him. What was his downward net force before pulling the parachute?
To determine the downward net force acting on the person before pulling the parachute, we need to consider two forces: gravity and air resistance.
1. Calculate the force of gravity acting on the person:
The force of gravity can be calculated using the formula:
Force of gravity = mass x gravitational acceleration
Given:
Mass (m) = 75kg (mass of the person)
Gravitational acceleration (g) = 9.8 m/s^2
Force of gravity = 75kg x 9.8 m/s^2 = 735 N
2. Calculate the net force:
Net force is the vector sum of all the forces acting on an object. In this case, we have the force of gravity acting downward (-735 N) and the air resistance acting upward (100 N).
Net force = Force of gravity - Air resistance
Net force = -735 N + 100 N = -635 N
Therefore, the person had a downward net force of 635 N before pulling the parachute. The negative sign indicates that the force is directed downward.