A person of 70 kg standing on an un-deformable horizontal surface. She bends her knees and jumps up from rest, achieving a launching speed of 1.7 m/s. The launching process lasts 0.1 second. Calculate the average force exerted by the surface on the person during the launch.

1190 N

Explanation:

Force: This can be defined as the product of mass and velocity. The unit of force is Newton(N).

From the question,

F = ma Equation 1

Where F = average force, m = mass, a = acceleration.

But,

a = (v-u)/t Equation 2

Where v = final velocity, u = initial velocity, t = time.

Substitute equation 2 into equation 1

F = m(v-u)/t Equation 3

Given: m = 70 kg, v = 1.7 m/s, u = 0 m/s (from rest), t = 0.1 s.

Substitute into equation 3

F = 70(1.7-0)/0.1

F = 1190 N.