Final answer:
The acceleration of the jet car with a 500,000 Newton thrust and mass of 2,100 kilograms is 238.1 m/s², calculated using Newton's second law of motion (F = ma).
Step-by-step explanation:
To calculate the acceleration of the jet car on the Bonneville Salt Flats, we can apply Newton's second law of motion. Newton's second law states that the force acting on an object is equal to the mass of the object multiplied by its acceleration (F = ma). Given that the thrust is the force propelling the car forward and that friction and other forces are to be ignored, the formula simplifies to acceleration being the thrust divided by the mass of the jet car.
The thrust (F) is given as 500,000 Newtons, and the mass (m) is 2,100 kilograms. The acceleration (a) can be calculated as follows:
a = F/m
a = 500,000 N / 2,100 kg
a = 238.1 m/s²