Question

An astronaut has left the International Space Station to test a new space scooter. Her partner measures the following velocity changes, each taking place in a time interval 11.9 s. What are the average acceleration in each interval? Assume that the positive direction is to the right.

At the beginning of the interval, the astronaut is moving toward the right along the xx-axis at 14.7 m/s, and at the end of the interval she is moving toward the right at 4.8 m/s.

Answer 1

-0.832 m/s²

Step-by-step explanation:

Since acceleration a = (v - u)/t where u = initial velocity of astronaut = +14.7 m/s (positive since he is moving towards the right), v = final velocity of astronaut = +4.8 m/s (positive since he is moving towards the right) and t = time taken for velocity change = time interval = 11.9 s.

Since a = (v - u)/t

Substituting the values of the variables into the equation, we have

a = (v - u)/t

a = (+4.8 m/s - (+14.7 m/s))/11.9 s

a = (4.8 m/s - 14.7 m/s)/11.9 s

a = -9.9 m/s ÷ 11.9 s

a = -0.832 m/s²

So, the astronaut's average acceleration is -0.832 m/s²