A skydiver is at a height of 10,000 m. Assuming no air resistance, how fast is the skydiver travelling at 9,990 m above the ground?

The skydiver has potential energy at the top of his/her jump, which is transferred to kinetic energy when he/she jumps. The difference in height between the start of the jump and the point at which his/her velocity is being measured is: 10,000-9,990 = 10 m This means that the potential energy in a height of 10 m has been transferred to kinetic energy. So:

Ep=Ek=mgh=(1/2)mv2

          =m(9.81)(10)=(1/2)mv2    -->   The mass (m) terms cancel

          =98.1=(1/2)v2  

          =196.2=v2                        -->   Taking the square root of both sides gives the answer below Which means v=14 ms-1  

CB
Answered by Christopher B. Physics tutor

1728 Views

See similar Physics GCSE tutors

Related Physics GCSE answers

All answers ▸

A rollercoaster carriage of mass 100kg has 45kJ of Kinetic Energy at the lowest point of its ride. Ignoring air resistance and friction between the wheels and the tracks, what is the maximum height above this point it could reach? [Take g as 10m/s/s)


A speaker emits a sound wave through a metallic block, with a speed of 0.42 km/s, and a frequency of 16kHz. Calculate the wavelength to 3.s.f. Describe the characteristics of a longitudinal wave.


Photons with 605 THz frequency strike metal of 1.2eV work function. Calculate the maximum energy of photoelectrons and their velocity. What amount of energy is necessary to stop all photoelectrons? (Planck's constant. electron mass and charge are given)


What is the life cycle of a star?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences