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Mechanics: 1-Dimensional Kinematics

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1-D Kinematics: Audio Guided Solutions

Problem Set K13, Question 3:

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.

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Habits of an Effective Problem Solver

An effective problem solver by habit approaches a physics problem in a manner that reflects a collection of disciplined habits. An effective problem-solver...

...reads the problem carefully and develops a mental picture of the physical situation. If needed, they sketch a simple diagram of the physical situation to help visualize it.
...identifies the known and unknown quantities in an organized manner, often times recording them on the diagram itself. They equate given values to the symbols used to represent the corresponding quantites (e.g., v_o = 0 m/s; a = 4.2 m/s/s; v_f = 22.9 m/s; d = ???.).
...plots a strategy for solving for the unknown quantity; the strategy will typically center around the use of physics equations and be heavily dependent upon an understanding of physics principles.
...identifies the appropriate formula(s) to use, often times writing them down. Where needed, they perform the needed conversion of quantities into the proper unit.
...performs substitutions and algebraic manipulations in order to solve for the unknown quantity.

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