Question

A 92.0-kg skydiver falls straight downward with an open parachute through a vertical height of 325 m. The skydiver’s velocity remains constant. What is the work done by the nonconservative force of air resistance, which is the only nonconservative force acting?

Answer 1

The work done by air resistance on a skydiver with constant velocity during a 325 m descent is calculated by multiplying the force of air resistance (equal to the skydiver's weight) by the distance fallen. The work done is 293,345 joules.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student is asking about the work done by air resistance on a skydiver with a constant velocity as they fall through a certain distance. Since the velocity of the skydiver is constant, the net force acting on the skydiver is zero, meaning the force of air resistance is equal and opposite to the gravitational force. Since work is defined as the force applied over a distance, and the force of air resistance is equal to the weight of the skydiver for a constant velocity descent, we can calculate the work done by air resistance during the descent.

To find the work done by air resistance, we use the equation Work = Force × Distance. The force of air resistance is equal to the weight of the skydiver (mass × acceleration due to gravity), which is 92.0 kg × 9.8 m/s² = 902.6 N. So the work done by air resistance is 902.6 N × 325 m = 293,345 J (joules). As the velocity remains constant, this is the work done by the air resistance over the descent.

Answer 2

The work done is
`293.0kJ`

Step-by-step explanation:

Data

• Mass:
  `m=92.0kg`

• height:
  `h=325m`

• acceleration due to gravity:
  `g=9.81m/s^(2)`

Non conservative force act

The work is:

`W=`Δ
`KE`+Δ
`PE`

KE and PE means kinetic energy and potential energy respectively.

The change in kinetic energy is 0, since the skydiver’s velocity remains constant.

Therefore

`W=0+`Δ
`PE`

`W=`Δ
`PE`

`W=mgh`

substitute the values

`W=92.0kg*9.81m/s^(2) *325m\\W=293020J\\W=293.0kJ`