A 66 kg person is parachuting and experiencing a downward acceleration of 2.1 m/s2. The mass of the parachute is 4.0 kg. (a) What is the upward force on the open parachute from the air?

539N

Explanation:

Parameters given:

Mass of person = 66kg

Mass of parachute = 4kg

Downward acceleration = 2.1 m/s²

The total force acting on the system is the sum of the force of gravity and the force due to air acting opposite gravity:

F = mg - F (a)

Where g = acceleration due to gravity

Force is given as:

F = ma

=> ma = mg - F (a)

=> F (a) = mg - ma

F (a) = m (g - a)

m is the mass of the entire sustem

m = 66 + 4 = 70kg

=> F (a) = 70 (9.8 - 2.1)

F (a) = 70 * 7.7

F (a) = 539N

The upward force on the open parachute from the air is 539N