Final answer:
The force of gravity on a 48 kg skydiver near Earth's surface is calculated using the formula w = mg, resulting in a weight of 470.4 Newtons (N).
Step-by-step explanation:
To calculate the force of gravity on a skydiver with a mass of 48 kg near Earth's surface, we use the formula for weight, which is the gravitational force on an object. The equation is w = mg, where w is the weight (force of gravity), m is the mass of the object, and g is the acceleration due to gravity. Given that g = 9.8 m/s² on Earth, the weight of the skydiver can be calculated as:
w = 48 kg × 9.8 m/s² = 470.4 N.
Hence, the force of gravity on a 48 kg skydiver near Earth's surface is 470.4 Newtons (N).