Question

A 72.0-kg skydiver is falling at a terminal velocity of 79.0 m/s. Which equation should be used to calculate the diver’s kinetic energy?

Answer 1

The Kinetic energy formula will be used:

Ek= 1/2mv^2

Ek= 1/2x72x79^2

Ek= 224,676 Joules

Answer 2

The correct equation to use to calculate the kinetic energy of an object is:

`K=(1)/(2)mv^2`

where

m is the mass of the object

v is its speed

In this problem, the mass of the skydiver is
`m=72.0 kg`, while its speed is
`v=79.0 m/s`, therefore his kinetic energy is

`K=(1)/(2)(72.0 kg)(79.0 m/s)^2=2.25 \cdot 10^5 J`