How Much Force Does Pam's Rocket Pack Generate?

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves Pam, who has a mass of 40.0 kg, using a rocket pack on a frictionless surface. The rocket pack generates a force that propels her to a speed of 62.0 m/s over a distance of 22.0 m. Participants are tasked with determining the magnitude of the force and Pam's final kinetic energy.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the calculation of force, with some attempting to use weight as a basis for their calculations. Others suggest using kinematic equations to find acceleration before applying Newton's second law to determine the force.

Discussion Status

There are multiple interpretations of how to approach the problem, particularly regarding the calculation of force and acceleration. Some participants have provided hints about using kinematic equations, while others express uncertainty about their calculations. The discussion is ongoing with various values being proposed for the force.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of the problem statement, which does not provide explicit values for acceleration or force, leading to confusion and varied interpretations in their calculations.

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Homework Statement



Pam has a mass of 40.0kg and she is at rest on a smooth level frictionless ice. pam straps on a rocket pack. the rocket pack supplies a constant force for 22.0m and pam acquires a speed of 62.0m/s

a)what is the magnitude of the force?
b)what is pams final kinetic energy

Homework Equations



a)F=mg
b)Ek=1/2mv^2



The Attempt at a Solution



a)
m=40.0kg
d=22.0m
v=62.0m/s
F=mg
F=(40.0)(9.8)
F=392N

b)
m=40.0
v=62.0
Ek=?
Ek=1/2mv^2
Ek=1/2(40.0)(62.0^2)
Ek=7.69x10^4J
 
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Iceclover said:

Homework Statement



Pam has a mass of 40.0kg and she is at rest on a smooth level frictionless ice. pam straps on a rocket pack. the rocket pack supplies a constant force for 22.0m and pam acquires a speed of 62.0m/s

a)what is the magnitude of the force?
b)what is pams final kinetic energy

Homework Equations



a)F=mg
b)Ek=1/2mv^2



The Attempt at a Solution



a)
m=40.0kg
d=22.0m
v=62.0m/s
F=mg
F=(40.0)(9.8)
F=392N

This is not the force you were asked for: this is the weight of the person. Try using the relevant kinematic equation to calculate the acceleration, then use Newtons 2nd law to work out the force.
b)
m=40.0
v=62.0
Ek=?
Ek=1/2mv^2
Ek=1/2(40.0)(62.0^2)
Ek=7.69x10^4J

This looks fine
 
how do i figure out the acceleration without the force?
 
wow i definitely did not do this right, i got 3480
 
Iceclover said:
how do i figure out the acceleration without the force?

Using the kinematic equations [hint: the relevant one to use here is v2=u2+2as, where here v is the final velocity, u is the initial velocity, a is acceleration and s is the distance.]
 
Iceclover said:
wow i definitely did not do this right, i got 3480

I get 3495N
 
i got 3520
 
ok so if you put it into sig figs you would get 3.5x10^3
 
Iceclover said:
ok so if you put it into sig figs you would get 3.5x10^3

Yes, if you're using 2sf.
 
  • #10
ok so that's right then?
 

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