Mechanics: 1-Dimensional Kinematics
1-D Kinematics: Audio Guided Solution
Problem 21:
Captain John Stapp is often referred to as the "fastest man on Earth." In the late 1940s and early 1950s, Stapp ran the U.S. Air Force's Aero Med lab, pioneering research into the accelerations which humans could tolerate and the types of physiological effects which would result. After several runs with a 185-pound dummy named Oscar Eightball, Captain Stapp decided that tests should be conducted upon humans. Demonstrating his valor and commitment to the cause, Stapp volunteered to be the main subject of subsequent testing. Manning the rocket sled on the famed Gee Whiz track, Stapp tested acceleration and deceleration rates in both the forward-sitting and backward-sitting positions. He would accelerate to aircraft speeds along the 1200-foot track and abruptly decelerate under the influence of a hydraulic braking system. On one of his most intense runs, his sled decelerated from 282 m/s (632 mi/hr) to a stop at -201 m/s/s. Determine the stopping distance and the stopping time.
Audio Guided Solution
Habits of an Effective Problem Solver
- Read the problem carefully and develop a mental picture of the physical situation. If necessary, sketch a simple diagram of the physical situation to help you visualize it.
- Identify the known and unknown quantities in an organized manner. Equate given values to the symbols used to represent the corresponding quantity - e.g., vo = 0 m/s; a = 4.2 m/s/s; vf = 22.9 m/s; d = ???.
- Use physics formulas and conceptual reasoning to plot a strategy for solving for the unknown quantity.
- Identify the appropriate formula(s) to use.
- Perform substitutions and algebraic manipulations in order to solve for the unknown quantity.
Read About It!
Get more information on the topic of Kinematics at The Physics Classroom Tutorial.
Return to Problem Set
Return to Overview
View Audio Guided Solution for Problem:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35