In february 1955, a paratrooper fell 1200 ft from an
airplanewithout being able to open his chute but happened to land
in snow, suffering only minor injuries. assume that his speed at
impact was56 m/s (terminal speed0, that his mass (including gear)
was 85 kg, and that the force on him from the snow was at the
survivable limitof 1.2 x 10 ^ 5 n. what is the minimum depth of
snow that wouldhave stopped him safely?

is the minimum depth of snow for survivable stopping.

Explanation:

Given:

Firstly, we calculate the deceleration caused in the snow:

Now, using equation of motion:

....................(1)

where:

v = final velocity of the body after stopping

u = initial velocity of the body just before hitting the snow

a = acceleration of the body in the snow

s = distance through in the snow

Putting respective values in eq. (1)

not too sure thinking it will always be directed towards the centre of the earth. could be wrong not sure