Question

The rocket-driven sled Sonic Wind No. 2, used for investigating the physiological effects of large accelerations, runs on a straight, level track that is 1080 m long. Starting from rest, it can reach a speed of 1560 km/h in 1.70 s.

a) Compute the acceleration in m/s^2.
b) Compute the acceleration in gÍs.
c) What is the distance covered in 1.70s?

Answer 1

a) acceleration = [change in velocity] / [time interval] = [final velocity - initial velocity] / t =

acceleration = [1560 km/h -0] / 1.7 s = 1560 km/h / 1.7 s

convert the velocity to m/s: 1560 km/h * 1000 m/ km * 1h/3600 s = 433.33 m/s

acceleration = 433.33 m/s / 1.7 s = 254.9 m/s^2

b) Acceleration in terms of g

acceleration = 254.9 m/s^2 /[ 9.8 m/s^2 / g] = 26 g.

This is the acceleration is 26 times the gravitational acceleration.

c) distance

d = a*t^2 / 2 = 254.9 m/s^2 * (1.70s)^2 / 2 = 88.2 m