What is the length of the catapult?

[FilthyOtis]

Homework Statement

A Jet fighter plane is launched from a catapult on an aircraft carrier. It reaches a speed of 42 m/s at the end of the catapult, and this requires 2.0s. Assuming the acceleration is constant, what is the length of the catapult?



Am I looking at this correctly?

final velocity(Vf) is 42 m/s

initial velocity(Vi) is 0 m/s

time(t) is 2.0 s

acceleration(a) is 21 m/s^2 (I'm assuming this because if it started from rest and after 2 seconds is traveling 42 m/s than the acceleration must be half of that? or am I way off? )


Here's my solution, Vf^2 = Vi^2 +2ad

(42 m/s)^2 = 0 + 2(21 m/s^2)d

d = 42^2 / 42 = 42m

Am I doing this correctly? Thank you for any help in advance.

- Otis

 

[bel]

Yep, looks right.

 

[m2003]

Yes, your calculations are correct. The length of the catapult is indeed 42 meters. You have correctly used the equation for constant acceleration to determine the distance traveled by the jet fighter. It is important to note that the acceleration is not necessarily half of the final velocity, but rather it is the change in velocity (42 m/s) divided by the time (2.0 s). This gives an acceleration of 21 m/s^2, which is what you used in your calculations. Good job!