What is the Acceleration of a Skydiver with Air Resistance?

AI Thread Summary
To determine the acceleration of a skydiver with air resistance, the upward force of air resistance is given as one-fourth of her weight. The weight of the skydiver is calculated by multiplying her mass (62.5 kg) by the acceleration due to gravity (9.8 m/s²). The net force acting on the skydiver is her weight minus the air resistance. To find acceleration, the net force must be divided by the mass of the skydiver. The confusion arises from mixing up calculations for weight and net force, emphasizing the need to focus on net force to find acceleration.
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Homework Statement


What is the magnitude of the acceleration of a falling sky diver (mass 62.5kg including parachute) when the upward force of air resistance is equal to one fourth of her weight?

so i know that Fnet=ma but since i do not know what either the Fnet or the a is i have no idea on how to figure it out.
 
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The force from gravity is the skydiver's weight. The air resistance opposes her weight, therefore the resultant force is the weight minus the resistance. I'm sure you can get acceleration from there.
 
ok so i tried doing her weight, 62.5 - (62.5/4) and that was wrong and then someone had told me to use gravity with this also so i tried 62.5(9.8)-((62.5*9.8)/4) and that was wrong as well. where am i going wrong?
 
Weight and mass are distinct. Weight is mass multiplied by the acceleration due to gravity. The second part of your work has calculated the net force. The question asks for acceleration.
 

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