Weight of Soldier with Machine Gun in Freefall

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A soldier falling from an airplane detaches from his parachute and can resist downward acceleration by firing 40 bullets per second at 500 m/s. Each bullet weighs 49 grams, and the problem involves calculating the soldier's weight while ignoring air resistance and using a gravitational acceleration of 9.8 m/s². The discussion highlights the relationship between force and momentum to determine how the soldier maintains his position in freefall. Participants express confusion over the calculations, particularly regarding the conversion of bullet weight from grams to kilograms. The conversation emphasizes the need for clarity in the solution process.
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Homework Statement



A soldier with a machine gun, falling from an airplane gets detached from his parachute. He is able to resist the downward acceleration if he shoots 40 bullets a second at the speed of 500 m/s. If the weight of a bullet is 49 gm, what is the weight of the man with the gun ? Ignore resistance due to air and assume the acceleration due to gravity g = 9.8 m/s2

Homework Equations


acceleration in place of velocity?

The Attempt at a Solution


m_s* v = m_b*v But how do i get this velocity
 
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You could try to recall the relationship between force and momentum, that would explain how the soldier stays in the air.
 
He fires one bullet; what is the effect on his velocity? If he does that 40 times a second, what acceleration would that produce?
 
I think i have it
 

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sidt36 said:
I think i have it
Yellow text on a white background is going to burn someone's eyes out. :rolleyes:
 
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How did you get 49 in your solution since 49 gm / bullet = .049 kg / bullet?
 
I multiplied it by 1/1000
 
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