Rocket-powered sleds are been used to test the responses of humans to acceleration. Starting from rest, one sled can reach a speed of 533 m/s in 2.45 s and can be brought to a stop again in 2.37 s. Find the acceleration of the sled when braking. Answer in units of m/s^2
To find the acceleration of the sled when braking, we can use the equation:
acceleration = (change in velocity) / (time taken)
First, let's find the change in velocity.
The sled goes from a speed of 533 m/s to 0 m/s, so the change in velocity is:
change in velocity = 0 m/s - 533 m/s = -533 m/s
Note that the negative sign indicates that the velocity is decreasing or "braking".
Next, let's find the time taken for braking, which is given as 2.37 s.
Now we can calculate the acceleration:
acceleration = (-533 m/s) / (2.37 s)
Calculating this gives the value of the acceleration to be approximately -224.47 m/s^2.
Therefore, the acceleration of the sled when braking is approximately -224.47 m/s^2.