A parachutist of mass 39.4 kg jumps out of an airplane at a height of 1340 m and lands on the ground with a speed of 5.78 m/s. The acceleration of gravity is 9.8 m/s². How much energy was lost to air friction during this jump?

Approximately 500kJ

Explanation:

According to the law of conservation of energy which states that energy can neither be created nor destroyed but can be converted from one form to another.

A parachutist jumping out of the airplane covering a particular height and under the influence of gravity will possess potential energy during fall. Since PE = mass × acceleration due to gravity × height

PE = 39.4×1340×9.8

PE = 501,562Joules

If the body lands on the ground with a speed of 5.78m/s, this means the body possesses kinetic energy at the point of landing. The kinetic energy on landing is 1/2mv²

KE = 1/2×39.4×5.78²

KE = 658.14Joules

The amount of energy lost due to friction will be PE-KE

= 501,562-658.14

= 500,903Joules approximately 500kJ

d. air pressure decreases as altitude increases.

molecules are free to separate from each other and will take on the shape of the container. molecules move completely at random and high speeds. they vibrate in a fixed position and do not move around much. molecules expand to the edge of their container.