Paratrooper falls without parachute

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a paratrooper who falls 370 m without a functioning parachute and lands in a snowbank. The discussion centers around the work-energy theorem, average force calculations, and the effects of air resistance during free fall.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are attempting to apply the work-energy theorem to estimate work done by the snow and air resistance. Questions are raised about how to calculate average force and the relationship between work and force.

Discussion Status

Some participants have made progress on part A of the problem, estimating work done by the snow, while others express confusion regarding subsequent parts, particularly in calculating average force and understanding the relationship between work and force.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of a homework assignment, which may limit the information they can use or the methods they can apply.

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A paratrooper pilot fell 370 m after jumping without his parachute opening. He landed in a snowbank, creating a crater 1.0 m deep, but survived with only minor injuries. Assume the pilot's mass was 75 kg and his terminal velocity was 50 m/s.

(a) Estimate the work done by the snow in bringing him to the rest.
(b) Estimate the average force exerted on him by the snow to stop him.
(c) Estimate the work done on him by the air resistance as he fell.

I am totally lost on this problem...can someone help me on how to start the problem?? thanks!
 
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Hints:

(a) See the "work-energy theorem"
(b) after finding that answer, how is work calculated?
(c) What KE should he have had after falling from that height? What KE did he have?
 
thanks chi meson...i got part A as -94485 J, but I'm having problems with part B. I'm still confused about how to find the average force exerted on him by the snow to stop him..help please!
 
Last edited:
confusedaboutphysics said:
thanks chi meson...i got part A as -94485 J, but I'm having problems with part B. I'm still confused about how to find the average force exerted on him by the snow to stop him..help please!

How is work related to force?
 

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