Finding the acceleration of a soldier dropeed into a snow bank

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the acceleration of a soldier dropped from an airplane at a speed of 72 km/h from an altitude of 20 meters, who sinks 2.4 meters into a snowbank. The initial potential energy converts to kinetic energy, leading to a calculated speed of 20 m/s just before impact. The acceleration while the soldier is decelerating in the snow is determined to be 83.33 m/s², with an alternative calculation suggesting a value of 117.85 m/s². The horizontal speed of 72 km/h is deemed irrelevant to the vertical acceleration calculation.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic physics concepts such as potential and kinetic energy
  • Familiarity with the equations of motion, particularly Vf² - Vi² = 2as
  • Knowledge of gravitational acceleration (g = 9.81 m/s²)
  • Ability to perform unit conversions, specifically from km/h to m/s
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the conservation of mechanical energy in physics
  • Learn about the equations of motion and their applications in real-world scenarios
  • Explore the effects of different materials (like snow) on deceleration and stopping distance
  • Investigate the impact of horizontal motion on vertical acceleration in projectile motion
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for physics students, educators, and anyone interested in understanding the dynamics of free fall and deceleration in various mediums.

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During the second world war, the Russians left his troops on the banks of snow falling from airplanes
low speed and flight flush, without the use of parachutes. Suppose that a soldier is dropped from an airplane traveling horizontally at a speed of 72 km/h at an altitude of 20m above a deep snow Bank. The soldier sinks to a depth of 2, 40m in the snow before stopping. What is the magnitude of the acceleration of the soldier while holding his movement in the snow?
Biook Answer a = 117; 85 m/s.

A FRIEND ANSWER:
you have to take into account that the soldier is released from 20 meters, so just before reaching the ground we can calculate its speed using conservation of mechanical energy: initial potential energy while falling soldier, you are turning into kinetic energy. EP = Ec--> m * g * h = 1/2 * v 2 * m--> v 2 = 2 * g * h = 2.10 * 20 = 400--> v = 20 m/s
Now we know that it has traveled a distance vertically from 2.4 m, so Vf'2 - Vi ^ 2 = 2 * to * s--> 0 - 20 ^ 2 = 2 *(-10*2.4-> a = 83.33 m/s^2)
Note that extra information, the horizontal speed, that has no influence in what we know
To him the speed was not used in his solving

Who has the reason?
 
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Re: Who stands the reason?

leprofece said:
During the second world war, the Russians left his troops on the banks of snow falling from airplanes
low speed and flight flush, without the use of parachutes. Suppose that a soldier is dropped from an airplane traveling horizontally at a speed of 72 km/h at an altitude of 20m above a deep snow Bank. The soldier sinks to a depth of 2, 40m in the snow before stopping. What is the magnitude of the acceleration of the soldier while holding his movement in the snow?
Biook Answer a = 117; 85 m/s.

A FRIEND ANSWER:
you have to take into account that the soldier is released from 20 meters, so just before reaching the ground we can calculate its speed using conservation of mechanical energy: initial potential energy while falling soldier, you are turning into kinetic energy. EP = Ec--> m * g * h = 1/2 * v 2 * m--> v 2 = 2 * g * h = 2.10 * 20 = 400--> v = 20 m/s
Now we know that it has traveled a distance vertically from 2.4 m, so Vf'2 - Vi ^ 2 = 2 * to * s--> 0 - 20 ^ 2 = 2 *(-10*2.4-> a = 83.33 m/s^2)
Note that extra information, the horizontal speed, that has no influence in what we know
To him the speed was not used in his solving

Who has the reason?
You can use the given depth, 2.4 m, to determine the time it takes to stop. But the acceleration is a vector quantity. You can determine the horizontal component of acceleration from the time to come to a stop.
 

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