A 70 kg student jumps down to form a 1 m high platform. She forgets to bend her knees and her downward motion stops in 0.02 seconds. Determine the force transmitted to her leg bones.

15,505 N

Explanation:

Using the principle of conservation of energy, the potential energy loss of the student equals the kinetic energy gain of the student

-ΔU = ΔK

-(U₂ - U₁) = K₂ - K₁ where U₁ = initial potential energy = mgh , U₂ = final potential energy = 0, K₁ = initial kinetic energy = 0 and K₂ = final kinetic energy = 1/2mv²

-(0 - mgh) = 1/2mv² - 0

mgh = 1/2mv² where m = mass of student = 70kg, h = height of platform  = 1 m, g = acceleration due to gravity = 9.8 m/s² and v = final velocity of student as he hits the ground.

mgh = 1/2mv²

gh = 1/2v²

v² = 2gh

v = √(2gh)

v = √(2 × 9.8 m/s² × 1 m)

v = √(19.6 m²/s²)

v = 4.43 m/s

Upon impact on the ground and stopping, impulse I = Ft = m(v' - v) where F = force, t = time = 0.02 s, m =mass of student = 70 kg, v = initial velocity on impact = 4.43 m/s and v'= final velocity at stopping = 0 m/s

So Ft = m(v' - v)

F = m(v' - v)/t

substituting the values of the variables, we have

F = 70 kg(0 m/s - 4.43 m/s)/0.02 s

= 70 kg(- 4.43 m/s)/0.02 s

= -310.1 kgm/s ÷ 0.02 s

= -15,505 N

So, the force transmitted to her bones is 15,505 N

come closer and become far apart and become steam/gas