# Circus Clown Velocity question

1. Mar 17, 2014

### a.k

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
A 75-kg clown at the circus escapes from a tower by jumping from a platform located 35 m above a safety net held by six other clowns. If air resistance exerts a 110 N force on the clown as he falls, what is his velocity just before he hits the net?

2. Relevant equations
F=mg-air resistance
a=f/m

3. The attempt at a solution
75kg-9.8 m/s^2-110N
735-110
F=625 N

625/75
a=8.33 m/s^2

I am drawing a blank as to what velocity formula I can use in the problem.

2. Mar 17, 2014

### jackarms

Try this one:
$$v_{f}^{2} = v_{0}^{2} + 2a\Delta y$$
Make sure to watch your signs on $a$ and $\Delta y$ though.

3. Mar 17, 2014

### a.k

2(8.33)35m
16.66*35
=583.1 m/s^2

4. Mar 17, 2014

### Rellek

That's really fast, I think you forgot to take the square root :)

Also your units are for acceleration, not velocity.

5. Mar 17, 2014

### majormaaz

Hey there!
Just wanted to point this out in case you have that picky teacher or professor who devotes their life to signs - in regards to your acceleration, do keep in mind which way the clown is accelerating(you're saying he accelerates upwards with your value).

Other than that, Post #4 is your way to solving this one.

6. Mar 18, 2014

### a.k

Thanks for the help.