Question

A pilot can withstand an acceleration of up to 9g, which is about 88 m/s2, before blacking out. (a) What is the acceleration experienced by a pilot flying in a circle of constant radius at a constant speed of 515 m/s if the radius of the circle is 3320 m? (b) Does the pilot make the turn without blacking out?

Answer 1

Centripetal acceleration = (speed)² / (radius)

Centripetal acceleration of our intrepid pilot = (515 m/s)² / (3,320 m)

Acceleration = (265,225 m²/s²) / (3,320 m)

Acceleration = (265,225 / 3,320) m/s²

a). Acceleration = 79.9 m/s²

b). 79.9 m/s² is less than 88 m/s² . So if our pilot has been taking care of himself, and has kept up with his required physical training, then he will make the turn without blacking out.