A 80 kg man slides down a vertical pole at 3.3 m/s^2. What is the average vertical force he puts on the pole?

Question

What is the net force on the fireman??
Sum the forces in the direction of motion.

Answer 1

Gravity would pull him at 9.8 m/s². Since he is only going down at 3.3 m/s² that means he is pulling himself up at 6.5 m/s². The force is (6.5 m/s²)·(80 kg) = 520 N ↑.

Answer 2

Hint: F = ma and g = 9.8 m/s²
And does he slide with a velocity of 3.3 m/s, or an acceleration of 3.3 m/s²?

Doug