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Jacobpm64
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Homework Statement
A parachutist of mass 80 kg approaches the ground at 5 m/s. Suppose that when he hits the ground, he decelerates at a constant rate (while his legs buckle under him) over a distance of 1 m. What is the force the ground exerts on his feet during the deceleration?
Homework Equations
[tex] \vec{F} = m \vec{a} [/tex]
The Attempt at a Solution
I think a lot of this information is extraneous. Isn't the force that the ground exerts on the parachutist going to be opposite his weight?
So, [tex] \vec{F} = mg = (80 * 9.8) = 784 [/tex] N
I'm not sure about this because it seems odd that all of that extra information would be given if it is not needed.
Thanks in advance.