The Calculation of Gravitational Force on a Falling Skydiver

How can we calculate the amount of gravitational force acting on a 60 kg skydiver falling at a terminal velocity of 50 m/s?

The amount of gravitational force acting on the skydiver is 588 N.

Understanding Gravitational Force

Gravitational force, also known as gravity, is a fundamental force of nature that attracts objects with mass towards each other. It is the force that gives weight to objects and keeps them grounded on the Earth's surface.

Calculation Formula

The gravitational force acting on an object can be calculated using the formula:

F = m * g

Where:

F is the gravitational force

m is the mass of the object

g is the acceleration due to gravity

Calculation for the Skydiver

In this case, the mass of the skydiver is given as 60 kg, and the acceleration due to gravity is approximately 9.8 m/s².

Plugging these values into the formula:

F = 60 kg * 9.8 m/s²
F = 588 N

Gravitational force is essential for understanding various phenomena in physics and plays a crucial role in the dynamics of objects in motion. By calculating the gravitational force, we can determine the weight of objects and analyze their interactions within the gravitational field.