Solving Physics Problems: Skydiver's Acceleration at 80mph

In summary: Thanks!!In summary, a skydiver has mass of 75g, traveling at 80mph, and the drag force on them is 650N. To find their acceleration at this speed, they use a=F/m. This results in a force of 10N/kg acting on them. Other forces acting on the skydiver are the force of gravity pulling them downwards (9.8N) and the wind resistance (0.5N).
  • #1
Neveda
5
0
Physics help!?

Homework Statement


A skydiver has mass of 75g, traveling at 80mph, drag force on skydiver is 650N. Find acceleration of skydiver at 80mph (g=10n/kg??)


Homework Equations




Do I use a=f/m

The Attempt at a Solution


No attempt - I am really stuck!
 
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  • #2
Welcome to PF!

Neveda said:
A skydiver has mass of 75g, traveling at 80mph, drag force on skydiver is 650N. Find acceleration of skydiver at 80mph (g=10n/kg??)
Do I use a=f/m

Hi Neveda! Welcome to PF! :wink:

(do you mean 75kg?)

Yes, use Ftotal = ma.

What is the total force on the skydiver? :smile:​
 
  • #3


Yes, use a=F/m
You need to find the resultant force on the diver.
There are two forces acting on him in this question.
 
  • #4


EEk.. I think maybe it is 75kg and the total force is 650N But I have no idea how to even begin to work something like this out :(
 
  • #5


The total force is not 650N, that's simply the drag force.

What other forces act on the sky diver?
 
  • #6


Thats the only force mentioned in the question - sorry..I need to work out acceleration yes? Do I need to find other forces..? Thanks!
 
  • #7


Or could anyone just advise me on how I would work out/answer a question that's similar to above..? Then I can apply the knowledge to those kind of questions... :)
 
  • #8


excuse me if you have already found it but you need to find the force of gravity pulling him downwards.
 
  • #9


do you guys in America need to convert your speed of 80mph to SI units of m/s ?
 
  • #10


doc.madani said:
do you guys in America need to convert your speed of 80mph to SI units of m/s ?

I guess it depends on the units in which they want the answer in. Generally,(in my experience atleast) answers tend to be in SI units.
 
  • #11


we always use si in my class. its easier that way. (especially for conversion
 
  • #12


Ok..but how do I work out the answer for a question similar to above?! PLease can someone advise??
 

FAQ: Solving Physics Problems: Skydiver's Acceleration at 80mph

1. How do you calculate the acceleration of a skydiver traveling at 80mph?

The acceleration of a skydiver can be calculated using the equation a = (vf - vi) / t, where a is the acceleration, vf is the final velocity, vi is the initial velocity, and t is the time taken. In this case, the initial velocity is 80mph and the final velocity is 0mph (since the skydiver reaches a constant speed during freefall), and the time can be measured using a stopwatch or calculated using the distance traveled and the average speed.

2. How does air resistance affect the acceleration of a skydiver at 80mph?

Air resistance, also known as drag, is a force that opposes the motion of an object. As the skydiver falls through the air, they experience an upward force from air resistance that increases as their speed increases. This ultimately leads to a decrease in acceleration, as the upward force counteracts the force of gravity pulling the skydiver downwards. However, at a certain point, the air resistance and gravity reach a balance, resulting in a constant terminal velocity for the skydiver.

3. What is the significance of 80mph in the problem of a skydiver's acceleration?

In this specific problem, 80mph is the initial velocity of the skydiver. This means that at the beginning of the freefall, the skydiver is already traveling at a speed of 80mph. This information is crucial for calculating the acceleration, as it is used in the equation a = (vf - vi) / t.

4. Can the acceleration of a skydiver at 80mph change during the freefall?

Yes, the acceleration of a skydiver can change during the freefall. As mentioned earlier, the acceleration initially increases due to the force of gravity, but then decreases as the air resistance increases. Once the two forces reach a balance, the acceleration becomes constant, resulting in a constant speed for the skydiver.

5. How can knowledge of a skydiver's acceleration at 80mph be applied to real-life situations?

The concept of acceleration and the equations used to calculate it are fundamental to understanding the motion of objects in the real world. In the case of a skydiver, knowledge of acceleration can be applied to analyze and predict their motion during freefall, as well as the forces acting on them. This knowledge can also be applied to other situations involving falling objects, such as a dropped ball or a rollercoaster ride.

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