Question

An airplane pilot falls 355 m after jumping from an aircraft without his parachute opening. Fortunately, he lands in a snowbank, creating a crater 1.5 m deep, and survives with only minor injuries. Assuming the pilot's mass is 77 kg and his terminal (maximum) velocity while falling is 50 m/s, estimate the following:

a) The work done by the snow in bringing him to the rest
b) The average force exerted on him by the snow to stop him.
c) The work done on him by the air resistance as he fell.


I'm stumped and need some help.

Answer 1

work done=KE at terminal velocity
avearage force*distance=work done
air resistance force=mg
work done by averge resistance force=height falling=mgh-finalKE

Answer 2

The problem I'm having (in general with Physics) is knowing which equation to use. I used the air resistance force = mg, and the answer came out wrong. So I just don't know what I'm doing wrong.

Answer 3

The problem I'm having (in general with Physics) is knowing which equation to use. I used the air resistance force = mg, and the answer came out wrong. So I just don't know what I'm doing wrong.