Calculating Forces on a Parachute

Understanding the Forces Acting on a Parachute

When a person is parachuting, there are two main forces acting on the parachute: the upward force from the air on the open parachute and the downward force from the person's weight. Let's calculate these forces:

(a) Upward Force on the Parachute from the Air

To calculate the upward force on the open parachute from the air, we can use the formula:

Upward force = Mass of the parachute * Acceleration due to gravity

Given:

Mass of the parachute = 4.1 kg

Acceleration due to gravity = 9.8 m/s²

Substitute the values into the formula:

Upward force = 4.1 kg * 9.8 m/s² = 40.18 N

Therefore, the upward force on the open parachute from the air is 40.18 N.

(b) Downward Force on the Parachute from the Person

The magnitude of the downward force on the parachute from the person is equal to the weight of the person and the parachute combined. We can calculate the weight using the formula:

Weight = Mass * Acceleration due to gravity

Given:

Mass = 82 kg (person) + 4.1 kg (parachute) = 86.1 kg

Acceleration due to gravity = 9.8 m/s²

Substitute the values into the formula:

Weight = 86.1 kg * 9.8 m/s² = 843.78 N

Therefore, the magnitude of the downward force on the parachute from the person is 843.78 N.

Therefore, when a person is parachuting, the upward force from the air and the downward force from the person's weight play crucial roles in determining the motion and stability of the parachute.