An 80   kg person is parachuting and is experiencing a downward acceleration of 2.8   m   s - 2 . The mass of the parachute is 5   kg . If the upward force on the open parachute is k × 10 2   N , then what is the value of k ? (Take g = 9.8   m   s - 2 )

Step-by-step solution

Mass of the person M = 80 kg Mass of the parachute m = 5 kg ∴ Total mass of the system = M + m = 85 kg Downward acceleration a = 2.8   m s - 2 Let upward force = F Applying Newton's II law of motion to this system F = m + M g - m + M a o r     F = m + M g - a F = 85 9.8 - 2.8 N = 85 × 7   N F = 595   N = 5 . 95 × 10 2   N k = 5 . 95