Rocket-powered sleds are been used to test the responses of humans to acceleration. Start- ing from rest, one sled can reach a speed of 510 m/s in 2.37 s and can be brought to a stop again in 3.15 s.
Find the acceleration of the sled while ac- celerating.
Answer in units of m/s2
Find the acceleration of the sled when brak- ing.
Answer in units of m/s2
a. a = (V-Vo)/t.
V = 510 m/s
Vo = 0
t = 2.37 s.
b. a = (V-Vo)/t
V = 0
Vo = 510 m/s.
t = 3.15 s.
Note: Acceleration when braking will be
negative.
To find the acceleration of the sled while accelerating, we can use the equation:
Acceleration = (Final velocity - Initial velocity) / Time taken
Given that the sled reaches a speed of 510 m/s in 2.37 s, the initial velocity (starting from rest) would be 0 m/s and the final velocity would be 510 m/s. Plugging these values into the equation:
Acceleration = (510 m/s - 0 m/s) / 2.37 s
Acceleration = 510 m/s / 2.37 s
Acceleration ≈ 215.19 m/s²
Therefore, the acceleration of the sled while accelerating is approximately 215.19 m/s².
To find the acceleration of the sled while braking, we can use the same equation:
Acceleration = (Final velocity - Initial velocity) / Time taken
Given that it takes 3.15 s to bring the sled to a stop from a velocity of 510 m/s, the initial velocity would be 510 m/s (speed before braking) and the final velocity would be 0 m/s (stopped). Plugging these values into the equation:
Acceleration = (0 m/s - 510 m/s) / 3.15 s
Acceleration = -510 m/s / 3.15 s
Acceleration ≈ -161.90 m/s²
Therefore, the acceleration of the sled while braking is approximately -161.90 m/s². The negative sign indicates that the sled is decelerating or slowing down.