Calculating Takeoff Time for an Aircraft

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the time it takes for an aircraft to become airborne, given its lift-off speed and takeoff run distance. The subject area includes kinematics and motion under acceleration.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the relationship between distance, speed, and time, questioning the assumption of constant speed during takeoff. There is a focus on understanding average speed in the context of acceleration.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided hints regarding the concept of average speed, suggesting that it may be necessary to consider the acceleration phase of the aircraft. There is an ongoing exploration of how to apply these concepts to the problem.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the aircraft starts from rest and accelerates, which complicates the calculation of time using a constant speed approach. There is an implicit understanding that the problem may require a different method of analysis due to the nature of acceleration.

Miri
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Homework Statement


An aircraft has a lift-off speed of 40m/s. How long does it take the aircraft to be airborn after a takeoff run of 320m?


Homework Equations


I know that I have to divide 320m by the speed (40m/s). But if I do that, I get a wrong result. The result should be 16s and this is only true if I use half of the speed (20m/s). Can somebody explain me why I have to take half of the speed? Thanks
 
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At the beginning plane was not moving, then it started to accelerate. Its speed was not constant.
 
Miri said:
Can somebody explain me why I have to take half of the speed?
As Borek said, the speed is not constant. Hint: What's the average speed during takeoff?
 
Oh yes..average speed =40/2...thx
 

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