Question

Just before opening her parachute a skydiver of mass 50 kg reaches terminal velocity.calculate the force of air resistance

Answer 1

The force of air resistance that a 50 kg skydiver experiences at terminal velocity is 490 N, as it balances the skydiver's weight of 490 N.

Step-by-step explanation:

To calculate the force of air resistance that a 50 kg skydiver experiences at terminal velocity, we can apply the concept that the net force on the skydiver at terminal velocity is zero.

This implies that the force of gravity (weight) on the skydiver is exactly balanced by the force of air resistance.

Since the weight of the skydiver can be calculated as the product of mass (m) and gravity (g), we find that the weight of a 50 kg skydiver is 50 kg × 9.8 m/s², which equals 490 N (newtons).

Therefore, the force of air resistance must also be 490 N to balance the skydiver's weight and achieve terminal velocity.

Answer 2

Terminal velocity is described as a velocity attained when an object which falls freely experiences 0 net force owing to gravitational force which is balanced by the resistance of the air. Hence, there is no acceleration thus, the velocity is constant. In order to attain terminal velocity by the skydiver, the weight of the skydiver must be equal to the resistance of the air hence we have the equation below;

50 kg*9.8 m/s²= 490 Newton.

Summarily, the force or magnitude of the air resistance is 490 Newton