Question

In a novel from 1866 the author describes a spaceship that is blasted out of a cannon with a speed of about 11.000 m/s. The spaceship is approximately 274 m long but part of it is packed with gunpowder, so it accelerates over a distance of only 213 m. What was the acceleration (in m/s2) experienced by the occupants of the spaceship during the launch?

Answer 1

Answer:

$a=0.284\ m/s^2$

Explanation:

Given that,

Initially, the spaceship was at rest, u = 0

Final velocity of the spaceship, v = 11 m/s

Distance accelerated by the spaceship, d = 213 m

We need to find the acceleration experienced by the occupants of the spaceship during the launch. It is a concept based on the equation of kinematics. Using the third equation of motion to find acceleration.

$v^2-u^2=2ad\\\\a=\dfrac{v^2-u^2}{2d}\\\\a=\dfrac{(11)^2-(0)^2}{2\times 213}\\\\a=0.284\ m/s^2$

So, the acceleration experienced by the occupants of the spaceship is $0.284\ m/s^2$.