Question

A skydiver of mass 80.0 kg (including parachute) jumps off a plane and begins her descent. Throughout this problem use 9.80 m/s² for the magnitude of the acceleration due to gravity.

a) t some point during her free fall, the skydiver reaches her terminal speed. What is the magnitude of the drag force.

Answer 1

The magnitude of the drag force when an 80.0-kg skydiver reaches terminal velocity is 784 N, equaling the gravitational force exerted on them and resulting in no further acceleration.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a skydiver reaches terminal velocity, the drag force exerted by the air equals the gravitational force pulling the skydiver towards Earth. At this point, the net force on the skydiver is zero, and she no longer accelerates. For a skydiver with a mass of 80.0 kg using 9.80 m/s² for the acceleration due to gravity, the weight of the skydiver (which is the force of gravity) is calculated as mass times the acceleration due to gravity:

Weight = Mass × Acceleration due to gravity
= 80.0 kg × 9.80 m/s²
= 784 N

Therefore, when the skydiver is at terminal velocity, the magnitude of the drag force is 784 N since it matches the weight, producing no net force and thus no further acceleration. The skydiver would continue to fall at a constant speed.