Question

A space shuttle's main engines cut off 8.4 min after launch, at which time the shuttle's speed is 7.8 km/s What is the shuttle's average acceleration during this interval?

Answer 1

The shuttle's average acceleration during this interval of 8.4 mins, given that it has a speed of 7.8 Km/s is 15.48 m/s

How to calculate the shuttle's average acceleration?

First, we shall convert 7.8 Km/s to m/s. Details below:

• Speed (in Km/s) = 7.8 Km/s
• Speed (in m/s) =

1 km/s = 1000 m/s

Therefore,

7.8 Km/s = 7.8 × 1000

= 7800 m/s

Now, we shall calculate the shuttle's average acceleration during this interval of 8.4 mins. Details below:

• Speed of shuttle = 7800 m/s
• Time interval = 8.4 mins = 8.4 × 60 = 504 seconds
• Shuttle's average acceleration =?

Shuttle's average acceleration = Speed of shuttle / time interval

= 7800 / 504

= 15.48 m/s