Answer:
(a) 5.6g
(b) 15.1g
Explanation:
Let us assume:
Part (a):
While Dr. John Paul Stapp accelerates the rocket to its top speed, we have
[tex]u = 0 m/s\\v = 282\ m/s\\t = 5.1\ s\\\therefore a = \dfrac{v-u}{t}\\\Rightarrow a = \dfrac{282-0}{5.1}\\\Rightarrow a =55.29\\\textrm{Dividing both sides by }g\\\Rightarrow \dfrac{a}{g}=\dfrac{55.29}{9.80}\\\Rightarrow \dfrac{a}{g}=5.6\\\Rightarrow a=5.6g[/tex]
Hence, the acceleration of the rocket in the direction of motion is 5.6g.
Part (b):
While Dr. John Paul Stapp accelerates the rocket from its top speed to rest, we have
[tex]u = 282 m/s\\v = 0\ m/s\\t = 1.9\ s\\\therefore a = \dfrac{v-u}{t}\\\Rightarrow a = \dfrac{0-282}{1.9}\\\Rightarrow a =-148.42\\\textrm{Dividing both sides by }g\\\Rightarrow \dfrac{a}{g}=\dfrac{-148.42}{9.80}\\\Rightarrow \dfrac{a}{g}=-15.1\\\Rightarrow a=-15.1g[/tex]
Here, the negative sign represents that the motion of acceleration of the rocket is opposite to the direction of motion.
Hence, the acceleration of the rocket in the direction opposite to that of motion is 15.1g.