Final answer:
To calculate the time it takes for airplanes to reach takeoff speed with an acceleration of 2.8 m/s², use the formula t = (v - u) / a. For a final velocity of 55 m/s and initial velocity of 0 m/s, the planes will take approximately 19.64 seconds to reach takeoff speed.
Step-by-step explanation:
The engineering student needs to calculate how long it will take for the airplanes to reach the required takeoff speed given an acceleration rate. Using the kinematic equation for acceleration, we can solve for time when initial velocity (u) is 0 m/s, final velocity (v) is 55 m/s, and acceleration (a) is 2.8 m/s². The formula to determine the time (t) is t = (v - u) / a.
In this case, t = (55 m/s - 0 m/s) / 2.8 m/s², which calculates to t = 19.64 seconds. Therefore, it will take approximately 19.64 seconds for the planes to reach takeoff speed.