Question

An antitank weapon fires a 3.00-kg rocket which acquires a speed of 50.0 m/s after traveling 90.0 cm down a launching tube. Assuming the rocket was accelerated uniformly, what is the average force acted on it?

Answer 1

~4166.67 N

Step-by-step explanation:

We can find the acceleration that the rocket had by using one of the constant acceleration kinematics equations.

List out the motion variables we are given:

• v_i = 0 m/s
• v_f = 50.0 m/s
• x = 90.0 cm → 0.9 m
• a = ?

Using the equation:

• v_f² = v_i² + 2aΔx

We can plug in the known variables and solve for acceleration.

• (50.0)² = (0)² + 2a(0.9)

Simplify this equation.

• 2500 = 1.8a

Divide both sides by 1.8.

• a = 1388.88889 m/s²

Now we can use Newton's 2nd Law, F = ma, to determine the force acted on the rocket.

We know the mass of the rocket is 3.00-kg, and its acceleration is 1388.88889 m/s².

• F = ma
• F = (3.00)(1388.88889)
• F = 4166.66667 N

The average force acting on the rocket is about 4166.67 N.