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The first thing to do is to determine what forces are acting on the skydiver.

The force of gravity is pulling the skydiver downward, and can be described using Newton's 2nd Law:

F = ma

where F is the force, m is the mass, and a is the acceleration.

In this case, the acceleration is in the negative downward direction, and it is equal to the acceleration due to gravity,g, or 9.8 m/s2. So:

Fg = m(-g)
Fg = (100 kg)(-9.8 m/s2)
Fg = -980 N

The air is resisting her fall, so there is a force pushing upwards. Let's call it Fa, and it is given as 500 N. So:

Fa = 500 N

Nothing else is touching the skydiver, so there are no other forces acting on her.

To determine the acceleration, use the net force equation:

Fnet = ma

where Fnet is all the forces acting on the object.

Fnet = ma
Fg + Fa = ma
-980 N + 500 N = (100 kg)a
-480 N = (100 kg)a
(-480 N) / (100kg) = a
-4.80 m/s2 = a

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Q: A falling skydiver of mass of 100 kg experiences 500 N air resistance The acceleration on the skydiver is what?
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