How high is a spaceship after accelerating to 340 km/h in 1.1 minutes?

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a spaceship that accelerates vertically to a speed of 340 km/h in 1.1 minutes. Participants are tasked with determining the altitude of the spaceship at 66 seconds, using appropriate equations of motion.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the need to find the acceleration of the spaceship and question the use of final velocity in calculations. There are attempts to apply equations of motion, and some participants express confusion over the correct approach to account for acceleration.

Discussion Status

Several participants have provided calculations and insights, with some suggesting the need to reconsider the initial conditions and the average velocity. There is an ongoing exploration of different interpretations of the problem setup, particularly regarding the initial velocity and the correct application of kinematic equations.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the spaceship starts from rest, which is a critical assumption in the calculations. There is also mention of discrepancies in answers submitted to Mastering Physics, indicating potential misunderstandings in the application of the equations.

Manh
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Homework Statement


A spaceship lifts off vertically with constant acceleration and reaches a speed of 340 km/hin 1.1 min .
What is the ship's altitude at t = 66 s ?
Express your answer to two significant digits and include the appropriate units.

Homework Equations


xf = xi + v*delta t

The Attempt at a Solution


6233.04 m
 
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Please show us your work.

Chet
 
You need to find the acceletion of the spaceship,after this put this data in equzion that describe his state according the time including acceleration parameter,
Can you find this equzion? :wink:
 
I convert 340 km/h to 94.44 m/s and 1.1 min to 66 s.
I plug the known data to the equation:
xf = 0 + (94.44)(66)
xf = 6233.04 m
 
Manh said:
I convert 340 km/h to 94.44 m/s and 1.1 min to 66 s.
I plug the known data to the equation:
xf = 0 + (94.44)(66)
xf = 6233.04 m
You plugged in the final velocity, but was it traveling with that velocity the whole time? What was the average velocity, given the acceleration was constant?

Chet
 
Manh said:

Homework Statement


A spaceship lifts off vertically with constant acceleration and reaches a speed of 340 km/hin 1.1 min .
What is the ship's altitude at t = 66 s ?
Express your answer to two significant digits and include the appropriate units.

Homework Equations


xf = xi + v*delta t

The Attempt at a Solution


6233.04 m
Manh said:
I convert 340 km/h to 94.44 m/s and 1.1 min to 66 s.
I plug the known data to the equation:
xf = 0 + (94.44)(66)
xf = 6233.04 m
This equation doesn't describe the body in acceleration...
 
DaniV said:
You need to find the acceletion of the spaceship,after this put this data in equzion that describe his state according the time including acceleration parameter,
Can you find this equzion?
a = 94.44/66 = 1.43 m/s^2
xf = xi + vi*t + 1/2at^2
xf = 0 + (94.44)(66) +1/2(1.43)(66)^2
xf = 9347.58 m
 
Manh said:
a = 94.44/66 = 1.43 m/s^2
xf = xi + vi*t + 1/2at^2
xf = 0 + (94.44)(66) +1/2(1.43)(66)^2
xf = 9347.58 m
Thats right! :oldbiggrin:
 
So to express the answer in two sig figs, it should be 9.3 x 10^3 m?
 
  • #10
DaniV said:
Thats right! :oldbiggrin:
I submit the answer but it is still incorrect according to Mastering Physics
 
  • #11
Manh said:
a = 94.44/66 = 1.43 m/s^2
xf = xi + vi*t + 1/2at^2
xf = 0 + (94.44)(66) +1/2(1.43)(66)^2
xf = 9347.58 m
This is incorrect. The initial velocity is zero. Only the 3rd term should be in there. Alternately, the average speed is (94.44)/2 = 47.22 m/sec, so the distance should be half your original answer 6233/2 = 3117 m. Either way, you will get the same answer.

Chet
 
  • #12
I would check my answer again. Thanks!
 
  • #13
The initial velocity is zero due to the fact that it say to us that spaceship accelerate from zero to 340 km/h
 

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