Bungee Jumper Work Calculation Challenge
How much work is done by the bungee cord on the jumper during his descent?
A bungee jumper makes a stunt jump in a jumping platform 17.81 m from above a height. The jumper weighs 338 N. If the jumper falls to within 79.26 m of the bottom of the height, how much work is done by the bungee cord on the jumper during his descent? Ignoring air resistance.
Answer:
The work done by the bungee cord on the jumper during his descent is -20,762.1 Joules.
The subject of this question is the work done on a bungee jumper during a jump. This is a physics concept tied to the effects of gravity and energy. The work done by the bungee cord on the jumper during his descent can be calculated using the formula work done = force x distance.
In this case, force is the weight of the jumper (338 N) and distance is the difference in height from where the jumper started and how far they fell (17.81 m - 79.26 m). Work done by the bungee cord = 338 N x (-61.45 m) = -20,762.1 Joules.
It is considered negative because it is work done against the direction of the force of gravity.