Question

A skydiver with a mass of 60 kg reaches terminal velocity after 12 seconds of freefall. What is the net force on the skydiver once terminal velocity is reached?

A) 0 N
B) 600 N
C) 1200 N
D) 1800 N

Answer 1

Terminal velocity is the maximum speed an object can reach while falling through a fluid. When the skydiver reaches terminal velocity, the net force acting on them is zero. Using the given mass of 60 kg and assuming a drag coefficient and frontal area, we can calculate the terminal velocity.

Step-by-step explanation:

Terminal velocity is the maximum speed an object can reach while falling through a fluid, such as air. When the skydiver reaches terminal velocity, the net force acting on them is zero. This means that the force of gravity pulling the skydiver downwards is balanced by the drag force acting in the opposite direction.

For a skydiver in a headfirst position, the drag force is given by the equation FD = pAv^2, where p is the density of air, A is the frontal area of the skydiver, and v is the velocity of the skydiver.

Therefore, when the net force is zero, we can set the weight of the skydiver equal to the drag force:

mg = pAv^2

Solving for v, we get:

v = sqrt(mg / pA)

Using the given mass of 60 kg and assuming a drag coefficient and frontal area, we can calculate the terminal velocity.