Final answer:
The force experienced by the 15 kg glass figurine as it comes to a stop is approximately 4.785 Newtons, calculated based on its mass, the observed change in velocity, and the time it took to stop.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student is asking about the force felt by a 15 kg glass figurine thrown out of a helicopter with a parachute and experiencing a change in velocity of 67 m/s upon hitting the ground, coming to a stop over a period of 3.5 minutes (210 seconds).
To find the force experienced by the figurine, first, we need to calculate its deceleration using the formula acceleration (a) = change in velocity (Δv) / time (t). Given that Δv = 67 m/s and time = 210 s (after converting minutes to seconds), we have: a = 67 m/s / 210 s = 0.319 m/s².
Now, using Newton's second law (F = ma), the force can be calculated by multiplying the mass (m) of the figurine by its deceleration (a): F = 15 kg * 0.319 m/s² = 4.785 N. Therefore, the force felt by the figurine upon hitting the ground and coming to a stop is approximately 4.785 Newtons.