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A 70-kg skydiver is falling at her terminal speed. Show that she exerts a 700-N downward force on the air as she falls.

User DicBrus
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Final answer:

To calculate the downward force exerted by a skydiver on the air at terminal speed, we can equate the force of gravity to the air resistance force.

Step-by-step explanation:

To show that a 70-kg skydiver exerts a 700-N downward force on the air as she falls at her terminal speed, we can use the equation:

Force = mass × acceleration

Terminal speed occurs when the force of air resistance equals the force of gravity. Air resistance is given by the formula:

Air resistance = drag coefficient × 0.5 × air density × velocity2 × frontal area

By equating the force of gravity to the air resistance force, we can solve for the downward force exerted by the skydiver on the air.

User Matiascelasco
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