A falling skydiver has a mass of 123 kg.
(a) What is the magnitude of the skydiver's acceleration when the upward force of air resistance has a magnitude that is equal to one-fourth of his weight? 7.35 m/s^2
(b) After the parachute opens, the skydiver descends at a constant velocity. What is the force of air resistance (magnitude and direction) that acts on the skydiver?
I do not know how to get this second part however i do know that the direction would be upward.
To determine the force of air resistance acting on the skydiver after the parachute opens, you need to consider the following:
1. Weight of the skydiver: The weight of the skydiver can be calculated using the formula: weight = mass × acceleration due to gravity. The acceleration due to gravity on Earth is approximately 9.8 m/s^2.
Weight = mass × acceleration due to gravity
= 123 kg × 9.8 m/s^2
= 1205.4 N
2. Upward force of air resistance: The question states that the upward force of air resistance has a magnitude equal to one-fourth of the skydiver's weight. So, the magnitude of the upward force of air resistance can be calculated as follows:
Upward force of air resistance = 1/4 × weight
= 1/4 × 1205.4 N
= 301.35 N
3. Force of air resistance: The force of air resistance can be simply defined as the magnitude of the upward force of air resistance acting in the opposite direction. Therefore, the force of air resistance acting on the skydiver is also 301.35 N, but in the downward direction.
So, the answer to part (b) is that the force of air resistance acting on the skydiver, after the parachute opens, is 301.35 N in the downward direction.