Question

Aircraft carriers use catapults to launch jets from their deck. One such catapult accelerates a 18,900 kg aircraft from rest to 61 m/s in 3.3 s. What is the magnitude of the force (in N) required to do this?

Answer 1

Given that the mass of catapult, m = 18900 kg

The initial velocity is

`v_o=\text{ 0 m/s}`

As the body is at rest initially.

The final speed is

`v_f=\text{ 61 m/s}`

The time taken is t = 3.3 s

We have to find the force.

According to Newton's second law, the formula to calculate force is

`\begin{gathered} F=\text{mass}* acceleration \\ =m*((v_f-v_o))/(t) \end{gathered}`

Substituting the values, the force will be

`\begin{gathered} F=18900*(61-0)/(3.3) \\ =349363.63\text{ N} \end{gathered}`

Thus, the force is 349363.63 N