a 150 lb skydiver is falling in a head first position at a terminal (constant) velocity of 120 mi/h find the force in pounds of the skydiver
This is a bit of a trick question. At the terminal velocity, the drag force equals the weight, which is 150 lb.
The NET force on the skydiver at constant velocity is (Weight - Drag) = zero.
That is all there is to this problem. Pretty easy, hun?
It is possible to PREDICT the termnal velocity for that person, but this requires a rather more difficult and approximate calculation.
To find the force acting on the skydiver, we can use Newton's second law of motion, which states that force equals mass multiplied by acceleration.
First, let's convert the velocity from miles per hour to feet per second, as it is the standard unit used in physics calculations.
1 mile = 5280 feet
1 hour = 3600 seconds
So, the velocity of the skydiver in feet per second would be:
120 mi/h * (5280 ft/1 mi) * (1 h/3600 s) = 176 ft/s
Next, let's convert the mass of the skydiver from pounds to slugs. Slugs are the unit of mass commonly used in physics.
1 pound = 0.03108 slugs
Therefore, the mass of the skydiver would be:
150 lb * 0.03108 slugs/1 lb = 4.662 slugs (approximately)
Since the skydiver is falling at a terminal velocity, the acceleration is zero. Therefore, the force acting on the skydiver is also zero.
So, the force in pounds acting on the skydiver is 0 pounds.