A physicist is creating a computational model of a falling person before and after opening a parachute. What boundary conditions would be important here?

A. The change in kinetic and potential energy.
B. The location where potential energy is zero.
C. The air resistance encountered as the person falls
D. The speed at which the person falls.

Just did it, the answer is B.

thx

To determine the boundary conditions for the computational model of a falling person before and after opening a parachute, we need to consider the factors that significantly affect the person's motion. The correct boundary conditions in this scenario are:

C. The air resistance encountered as the person falls
D. The speed at which the person falls.

Explanation:

1. Air Resistance: When falling, a person experiences air resistance, which opposes the motion and affects the rate of acceleration. Considering the air resistance in the computational model will result in more accurate predictions.

2. Speed of the Person: The speed of the person before and after opening the parachute is a crucial boundary condition. It determines their initial condition and affects their subsequent motion.

A. The change in kinetic and potential energy: While the change in kinetic and potential energy is relevant to understanding the physics of falling, it is not directly a boundary condition for the computational model.

B. The location where potential energy is zero: The location where potential energy is zero (usually chosen as the ground level) is important for calculating potential energy but is not required as a boundary condition for the computational model of a falling person.

To summarize, in the computational model, the important boundary conditions would be the air resistance encountered by the person as they fall and the initial speed at which the person falls.