What Is the Force of Air Resistance and Friction Acting on a Diver?

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In summary, a 57.0 kg diver dives from a height of 15.0 m and reaches a speed of 14.0 m/s before entering the water. The average force of air resistance acting on the diver cannot be determined using the given information. The diver's speed if there was no air resistance can be found using the equation a = g, where a is the acceleration and g is the gravitational acceleration. To find the force of friction underwater, the buoyant force of 500 N acting on the diver must be taken into account.
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Homework Statement



A 57.0 kg diver dives from a height of 15.0 m. She reaches a speed of 14.0 m/s just before entering the water. What was the average force of air resistance (e.g., friction) acting on the diver?
Bonus: What is the force of friction underwater if she reaches a depth of 2.5 m before stopping? Do not neglect the buoyant force of 500 N acting on the diver once underwater

Homework Equations



Ek + Ep = Etot

The Attempt at a Solution



0.5mv^2 + mgh = ?


i don't understand how i can find air resistance, maybe I am using the wrong equation??
 
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what would be the divers speed if there was no air resistance using the fact that acceleration = g
 

1. What is air resistance/friction?

Air resistance, also known as drag, is a force that acts in the opposite direction of an object's motion through the air. It is caused by the collision of air molecules with the surface of the object, slowing it down.

2. How does air resistance/friction affect objects?

Air resistance/friction can affect an object's speed and motion by slowing it down. This can be seen in activities such as skydiving, where a person's speed decreases as they open their parachute and experience more air resistance.

3. What factors affect air resistance/friction?

The factors that affect air resistance/friction include the shape and size of an object, the speed at which it is moving, and the density of the air. Objects with larger surface areas and moving at higher speeds will experience more air resistance/friction.

4. How can air resistance/friction be reduced?

Air resistance/friction can be reduced by changing the shape of an object to make it more streamlined, reducing its speed, or using a lubricant to decrease the surface friction. For example, race cars use aerodynamic designs to reduce air resistance and increase speed.

5. Why is understanding air resistance/friction important?

Understanding air resistance/friction is important because it helps us design more efficient and faster modes of transportation, such as airplanes and cars. It also explains why certain objects, like feathers, fall slower than others, like rocks, when dropped from the same height.

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