|
Also, if we assume that he is stopped in the vertical direction and ignore any swinging from side to side, we can use the speed on impact to determine pinitial. Since the final momentum is 0, the change in momentum p is 0 - 3680 = -3680 kg.m/s. This can also be described as 3680 N.s, where N = 1 kg.m/s squared and shows the force in units of Newtons. We determine the force of impact using the equation F = p / t. If we assume it takes 200 milliseconds (0.200 seconds) for Bruce’s fall to come to a stop by the fire hose. (This is a bit of a guess, as it would probably take a little longer, due to the elasticity of the fire hose and it being 105 metres long.) We calculate: F = (3680) / (.200) =18400 N. 
This is the force Bruce feels as he is brought to a halt by the fire hose, after falling 35 storeys. So does he have any injuries? We can work that out too!
|