Explanation:
Initial speed of the planet, u = 18.2 km/s = 18200 m/s
Final speed of the planet, v = -22.9 km/s = -22900 m/s
Time interval, t = 2.04 years
Since, [tex]1\ year =3.154\times 10^7\ s[/tex]
Time interval, [tex]t=6.43\times 10^7\ s[/tex]
(a) The total change in the planet's velocity is calculated as :
[tex]\Delta v=v-u[/tex]
[tex]\Delta v=-22900-18200[/tex]
[tex]\Delta v=-41100\ m/s[/tex]
(b) Let a is the average acceleration of the planet. It can be calculated as :
[tex]a=\dfrac{v-u}{t}[/tex]
[tex]a=\dfrac{-41100\ m/s}{6.43\times 10^7\ s}[/tex]
[tex]a=-6.39\times 10^{-4}\ m/s^2[/tex]
Hence, this is the required solution.
