A man is descending in a parachute of total mass 125 kg with a constant velocity. What is the air resistance the parachutist experiences in N?
acceleration = 0
therefore net force is zero
therefore weight down = drag up
therefore drag = m g = 125 * 9.81
To calculate the air resistance experienced by the parachutist, we need to use the following formula:
Air resistance = Mass * Acceleration
First, let's determine the acceleration of the parachutist. Since the parachutist is descending with a constant velocity, we know that the net force acting on the parachutist is zero. This means that the force due to air resistance must be equal in magnitude but opposite in direction to the force due to gravity.
The force due to gravity can be calculated using the formula:
Force due to gravity = Mass * Acceleration due to gravity
The acceleration due to gravity on Earth is approximately 9.8 m/s². Therefore:
Force due to gravity = Mass * 9.8
Knowing that the total mass of the parachutist is 125 kg, we can calculate the force due to gravity:
Force due to gravity = 125 kg * 9.8 m/s²
Now, since the parachutist is descending with a constant velocity, the force due to air resistance must be equal in magnitude but opposite in direction to the force due to gravity. Therefore, the air resistance can be calculated as:
Air resistance = Force due to gravity = 125 kg * 9.8 m/s²
Now we can solve the equation:
Air resistance = 125 kg * 9.8 m/s²
Calculating the value, we find:
Air resistance = 1225 N
Hence, the air resistance experienced by the parachutist is 1225 Newtons.