College Physics by Openstax Chapter 2 Problem 19: The acceleration of an intercontinental ballistic missile


Problem:

Assume that an intercontinental ballistic missile goes from rest to a suborbital speed of 6.50 km/s in 60.0 s (the actual speed and time are classified). What is its average acceleration in m/s2 and in multiples of g (9.80 m/s2) ?


Solution:

The formula for acceleration is 

\overline{a}=\frac{\Delta v}{\Delta t}

Substituting the given values

\begin{align*}
\overline{a} & = \frac{v_f-v_0}{\Delta t} \\
\overline{a} & =\frac{6.5\times 10^3\:\text{m/s}-0\:\text{m/s}}{60.0\:\text{sec}}\\
\overline{a} & =108.33\:\text{m/s}^2 \ \qquad \ \color{DarkOrange} \left( \text{Answer} \right)
\end{align*}

This can be expressed in multiples of g

\begin{align*}
\overline{a} & = \frac{108.33\:\text{m/s}^2}{9.80\:\text{m/s}^2}\\
\overline{a} &  =11.05\text{g} \ \qquad \ \color{DarkOrange} \left( \text{Answer} \right)
\end{align*}

Therefore, the average acceleration is 108.33 m/s2 and can be expressed as 11.05g.


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College Physics 2nd Edition Solutions Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Introduction: The Nature of Science and Physics

Chapter 2: Kinematics

Chapter 3: Two-Dimensional Kinematics

Chapter 4: Dynamics: Force and Newton’s Law of Motion

Chapter 5: Further Applications of Newton’s Laws: Friction, Drag, and Elasticity

Chapter 6: Uniform Circular Motion and Gravitation

Chapter 7: Work, Energy, and Energy Resources

Chapter 8: Linear Momentum and Collisions

Chapter 9: Statics and Torque

Chapter 10: Rotational Motion and Angular Momentum

Chapter 11: Fluid Mechanics

Chapter 12: Fluid Dynamics and Its Biological and Medical Applications

Chapter 13: Temperature, Kinetic Theory, and the Gas Laws

Chapter 14: Heat and Heat Transfer Methods

Chapter 15: Thermodynamics

Chapter 16: Oscillatory Motion and Waves

Chapter 17: Physics of Hearing

Chapter 18: Electric Charge and Electric Field

Chapter 19: Electric Potential and Electric Field

Chapter 20:
Electric Current, Resistance, and Ohm’s Law

Chapter 21: Circuits and DC Instruments

Chapter 22: Magnetism

Chapter 23: Electromagnetic Induction, AC Circuits, and Electrical Technologies

Chapter 24: Electromagnetic Waves

Chapter 25: Geometric Optics

Chapter 26: Vision and Optical Instrument

Chapter 27: Wave Optics

Chapter 28: Special Relativity

Chapter 29: Introduction to Quantum Physics

Chapter 30: Atomic Physics

Chapter 31: Radioactivity and Nuclear Physics

Chapter 32: Medical Applications of Nuclear Physics

Chapter 33: Particle Physics

Chapter 34: Frontiers of Physics