A skydiver of mass m jumps from a hot air balloon and falls a distance d before reaching a terminal velocity of magnitude v. Assume that the magnitude of the acceleration due to gravity is g.

a. What is the work (Wd) done on the skydiver, over the distance, by the drag force of the air?

b. Find the power (P d) supplied by the drag force after the skydiver has reached terminal velocity v.

Question

Alan Murillo

Physics

12 July, 10:36

A skydiver of mass m jumps from a hot air balloon and falls a distance d before reaching a terminal velocity of magnitude v. Assume that the magnitude of the acceleration due to gravity is g.

a. What is the work (Wd) done on the skydiver, over the distance, by the drag force of the air?

b. Find the power (P d) supplied by the drag force after the skydiver has reached terminal velocity v.

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Answers (1)

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Kamila Pearson · Answer 1

work done by gravitational force during fall of distance d = mgd

work done by drag = w (let)

mgd - w = 1/2 m v²

w = m g d - 1/2 m v²

so work done by drag force

= m g d - 1/2 m v²

b) when terminal velocity is reached, drag force = mg

power supplied by drag force = force x velocity

= mg x v

P_d = mgv