A parachutist relies on air resistance (mainly on her parachute) to decrease her downward velocity. She and her parachute have a mass of 51.1 kg and air resistance exerts a total upward force of 657 N on her and her parachute. What is the magnitude of the acceleration of the parachutist?
The resultant force will be equal to difference of her downward force, her weight, and the upward force, the air resistance. Fnet = 657 - 51.1 x 9.81 = 149.7 N F = ma a = F / m a = 149.7/51.1 a = 2.93 m/s²
