Answer
490 N
Work Step by Step
Because the parachute descends at a constant 40 km/h, we know that the vertical acceleration is zero. Therefore, the only force acting on the parachute is the weight of the rider (downward) and the force of the air (upward).
That leaves us with the force of the air being the mass of the rider * the acceleration of gravity.
50 kg * 9.81 m/s = 490 N
