Question

Classes are canceled due to snow, so you take advantage of the extra time to conduct some physics experiments. You fasten a large toy rocket to the back of a sled and take the modified sled to a large, flat, snowy field. You ignite the rocket and observe that the sled accelerates from rest in the forward direction at a rate of 14.5 m/s2 for a time period of 3.10 s. After this time period, the rocket engine abruptly shuts off, and the sled subsequently undergoes a constant backward acceleration due to friction of 5.65 m/s2.
After the rocket turns off, how much time does it take for the sled to come to a stop?time: ____sBy the time the sled finally comes to a rest, how far has it traveled from its starting point?distance traveled: ____m

Answer 1

Answer:

Time : 7.96 s

Distance Traveled : 357.8 m  

Explanation:

In order to solve this problem, we first consider the accelerated motion of rocket. We will be using the subscript 1 for accelerated motion.

So, for accelerated motion, we have:

Acceleration = a₁ = 14.5 m/s²

Time Period = t₁ = 3.1 s

Initial Velocity = Vi₁ = 0 m/s    (Since, it starts from rest)

Final Velocity = Vf₁

Distance covered by sled during acceleration motion = s₁

Now, using 1st equation of motion:

Vf₁ = Vi₁ + (a₁)(t₁)

Vf₁ = 0 m/s + (14.5 m/s²)(3.1 s)

Vf₁ = 44.95 m/s

Now, using 2nd equation of motion:

s₁ = (Vi₁)(t) + (0.5)(a₁)(t₁)

s₁ = (0 m/s)(3.1 s) + (0.5)(14.5 m/s²)(3.1 s)

s₁ = 22.5 m

Now, we first consider the decelerated motion of rocket. We will be using the subscript 2 for decelerated motion.

So, for accelerated motion, we have:

Deceleration = a₂ = - 5.65 m/s²

Time Period = t₂ = ?

Initial Velocity = Vi₂ = Vf₁ = 44.95 m/s    (Since, decelerate motion starts, where accelerated motion ends)

Final Velocity = Vf₂ = 0 m/s    (Since, rocket will eventually stop)

Distance covered by sled during deceleration motion = s₂

Now, using 1st equation of motion:

Vf₂ = Vi₂ + (a₂)(t₂)

0 m/s = 44.95 m/s + (- 5.65 m/s²)(t₂)

t₂ = (44.95 m/s)/(5.65 m/s²)

t₂ = 7.96 s

Now, using 2nd equation of motion:

s₂ = (Vi₂)(t₂) + (0.5)(a₂)(t₂)

s₂ = (44.95 m/s)(7.96 s) + (0.5)(- 5.65 m/s²)(7.96 s)

s₂ = 357.8 m - 22.5 m

s₂ = 335.3 m

Thus, the total distance covered by sled will be:

Total Dustance = S = s₁ + s₂

S = 22.5 m + 335.3 m

S = 357.8 m