Math Problem Statement

If this section of the spacecraft has a radius of 300.0 m, what speed will produce an acceleration of 9.80 m/s2?

Solution

The acceleration provided by the spinning section of the spacecraft is centripetal acceleration, which is related to the speed of rotation and the radius. Centripetal acceleration aca_c is given by the formula:

ac=v2ra_c = \frac{v^2}{r}

Where:

  • aca_c is the centripetal acceleration (9.80 m/s²),
  • vv is the linear speed (which we need to find),
  • rr is the radius (300.0 m).

Now, we can rearrange this equation to solve for the speed vv:

v=ac×rv = \sqrt{a_c \times r}

Substituting the values:

v=9.80m/s2×300.0mv = \sqrt{9.80 \, \text{m/s}^2 \times 300.0 \, \text{m}}

Let me calculate that for you.The speed required to produce an acceleration of 9.80 m/s² in a spacecraft section with a radius of 300.0 meters is approximately 54.22 m/s.

Would you like more details or have any other questions?

Here are 5 related questions to explore further:

  1. How would the speed change if the radius were increased to 400 meters?
  2. What happens to the acceleration if the speed is doubled?
  3. How can angular velocity be used to find the speed in circular motion?
  4. What is the relationship between rotational period and linear speed?
  5. How would this calculation differ if the acceleration was 8.00 m/s² instead of 9.80 m/s²?

Tip: For any circular motion, the centripetal force is essential in keeping an object moving in a curved path, and it is proportional to both the mass and the square of the speed.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Centripetal Acceleration
Circular Motion
Square Roots

Formulas

a_c = v² / r
v = √(a_c * r)

Theorems

Newton's Second Law for Circular Motion

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 10-12