How to Calculate Total Mass of a Person with Additional Gear?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the total mass of a person along with additional gear, specifically considering the mass of a human, a backpack, and a parachute. The context includes aspects of physics related to mass, density, and volume.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents a formula for mass based on density and velocity, leading to a calculated mass of 189.16 lb for a person weighing approximately 175 lb.
  • The same participant questions how to incorporate additional weight from gear, estimating the mass of a backpack at about 200 lb and a parachute at around 50 lb.
  • Another participant suggests that if all items are moving at the same velocity, it is simpler to treat them as a single mass.
  • There is confusion regarding the initial formula, with one participant questioning the use of velocity instead of volume in the mass calculation.
  • A subsequent reply clarifies that the participant likely meant to refer to volume rather than velocity.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the initial mass calculation and the appropriate formula to use, indicating a lack of consensus on the correct approach to calculating total mass.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved issues regarding the assumptions made in the mass calculation, particularly the use of density and velocity versus volume, which may affect the accuracy of the results.

MegaMan64
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What I have now if the mass of a human found by this
m = density x velocity
which is 189.16lb or 85.79 kg for about 175lb person.
density = 1010 kg/m3
volume = 3ft^3
but then I thought that this guy will have about 200 extra lbs of wight and a parachute along with that. How should I go about putting that into the mass?
The bag would be about 2ft * 2ft *1ft = 4ft^3 so the
mass of the pack would be about 200lb roughly?
and the parachute would be about 50lb too.
Should I just add the human mass to the other two masses for a total mass? Or am i missing something?
Thanks
 
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Welcome to PF!

Hi MegaMan64! Welcome to PF! :wink:
MegaMan64 said:
Should I just add the human mass to the other two masses for a total mass?

Yes, if they all have the same velocity, it's easier and quicker to treat them as a single mass. :smile:
 
What I have now if the mass of a human found by this
m = density x velocity

Whaaaaaaa??

That doesn't lead to the units on the following line in your post...
 
Naty1 said:
Whaaaaaaa??

he meant volume! :rolleyes:
 

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