A 55.0-kg skydiver free falls for a period of time before opening his parachute. What is his kinetic energy when he reaches a velocity of 16.0 meters/second? -440 J
-cannot be determined without knowing his height above the ground
-539 J
-7,040 J

Mass (m)=55kg

acceleration (a)=9.81 m/s^2, this is the acceleration due to gravity.

initial velocity=0m/s. The skydiver doesn’t start with any speed because she is on the plane or helicopter.

final velocity=16m/s This is the velocity (speed) the skydiver reaches

The equation we use is KE=.5mv^2
Kinetic energy=.5 mass x velocity^2

KE=.5(55kg)(16m/s)^2
KE=.5(55kg)(256m/s)
KE=.5(14080J)

J=Joules

KE=7040J

Kinetic energy is 7040 Joules (J)

Hope this helps