An athlete whose mass is 87.0 kg is performing weight-lifting exercises. Starting from the rest position, he lifts, with constant acceleration, a barbell that weighs 600 N. He lifts the barbell a distance of 0.65 m in a time of 1.3 s. Use Newton's laws to find the total force that his feet exert on the ground as he lifts the barbell.

Answer: X = 52,314.12 N

Explanation: Let X be the force the feet of the athlete exerts on the floor.

According to newton's third law of motion the floor gives an upward reaction based on the weight of the athlete and the barbell which is known as the normal reaction (based on the mass of the athlete and the barbell)

Mass of athlete = 87kg, mass of barbell = 600 / hence total normal reaction from the floor = 87 * 61.22 / 9.8 * 9.8 = 52,200N.

The athlete lifts the barbell from rest thus making it initial velocity u=0, distance covered = S = 0.65m and the time taken = 1.3s

The acceleration of the barbell is gotten by using the equation of constant acceleration motion

S = ut + 1/2at²

But u = 0

S = 1/2at²

0.65 = 1/2 * a (1.3) ²

0.65 = 1.69 * a/2

0.65 * 2 = 1.69 * a

a = 0.65 * 2 / 1.69

a = 0.77m/s²

According to newton's second law of motion

Resultant force = mass * acceleration

And resultant force in this case is

X - 52,200 = (87 + 61.22) * 0.77

X - 52,200 = 148.22 * 0.77

X - 52, 200 = 114.132

X = 114.132 + 52,200

X = 52,314.12 N