Paratrooper falls without parachute

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A paratrooper pilot fell 370 meters without his parachute opening and survived after landing in a snowbank, which cushioned his fall. The discussion revolves around calculating the work done by the snow, the average force exerted by the snow to stop him, and the work done by air resistance during his fall. Participants are seeking guidance on applying the work-energy theorem and calculating kinetic energy. The initial calculations indicate that the work done by the snow is approximately -94485 J, but there is confusion regarding the average force calculation. Understanding the relationship between work and force is crucial for solving these problems.
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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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