What is the minimum depth of snow needed to stop a paratrooper safely?

  • Thread starter Thread starter patelkey
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Collision Impulse
AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on calculating the minimum depth of snow required to safely stop a paratrooper who fell from 375 meters, impacting at a terminal speed of 52 m/s. Given the paratrooper's mass of 85 kg and a survivable force limit of 1.2 x 10^5 N, participants are encouraged to identify relevant equations and demonstrate their understanding of the problem. The conversation emphasizes the importance of showing attempts at solving the problem before seeking assistance. Overall, the focus is on applying physics principles to determine safe landing conditions in snow.
patelkey
Messages
16
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



A paratrooper fell 375 m from an airplane without being able to open his chute. Assume that his speed at impact was 52 m/s (terminal speed), that his mass (including gear) was 85 kg, and that the force on him from the snow was at the survivable limit of 1.2 multiplied by 105 N.

a.) What is the minimum depth of snow that would have stopped him safely?

b.)What is the magnitude of the impulse on him from the snow?

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution

 
Physics news on Phys.org
Hi patelkey, welcome to PF. Please go through the PF rules. According that you have to show how much you know about the problem. You have to find out the relevant equations to solve the given problem. You have to your attempts. Still you are not getting the answer, we will help you.
So first of write down the relevant equations.
 

Thread 'Errors and significant figures'

I multiplied the values first without the error limit. Got 19.38. rounded it off to 2 significant figures since the given data has 2 significant figures. So = 19. For error I used the above formula. It comes out about 1.48. Now my question is. Should I write the answer as 19±1.5 (rounding 1.48 to 2 significant figures) OR should I write it as 19±1. So in short, should the error have same number of significant figures as the mean value or should it have the same number of decimal places as...
View full post »
Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'

Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'

Let's declare that for the cylinder, mass = M = 10 kg Radius = R = 4 m For the wall and the floor, Friction coeff = ##\mu## = 0.5 For the hanging mass, mass = m = 11 kg First, we divide the force according to their respective plane (x and y thing, correct me if I'm wrong) and according to which, cylinder or the hanging mass, they're working on. Force on the hanging mass $$mg - T = ma$$ Force(Cylinder) on y $$N_f + f_w - Mg = 0$$ Force(Cylinder) on x $$T + f_f - N_w = Ma$$ There's also...
View full post »

Similar threads

Surviving a Freefall: Calculating the Impulse on a Paratrooper Landing in Snow
Replies
8
Views
10K
Solve Impulse and Depth Homework Challenge
2
Replies
58
Views
28K
How Deep Must Snow Be to Safely Stop a Falling Paratrooper?
Replies
1
Views
2K
Solving Paratrooper's Fall: Estimating W, F, & Air Resistance
Replies
5
Views
2K
How Does Snow Impact Paratrooper Survival Physics?
Replies
1
Views
2K
How Does Physics Explain a Paratrooper's Survival After a 370-Meter Fall?
Replies
1
Views
4K
Paratrooper falls without parachute
Replies
3
Views
3K
What is the terminal speed of the paratrooper?
Replies
5
Views
3K
How Did a Ski Diver Survive a 360m Fall into Snow?
Replies
3
Views
3K
Solve Collision Velocity: Mass, Friction & Impulse
Replies
7
Views
1K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top