Fundamentals of Physics Extended (10th Edition)

Published by Wiley
ISBN 10: 1-11823-072-8
ISBN 13: 978-1-11823-072-5

Chapter 13 - Gravitation - Problems - Page 385: 96b

Answer

We can assume that g-forces of $28,000~g$ would be deadly to astronauts.

Work Step by Step

We can find the average acceleration: $v_f^2 = v_0^2+2ad$ $a = \frac{v_f^2 - v_0^2}{2d}$ $a = \frac{(11,000~m/s)^2 - 0}{(2)(220~m)}$ $a = 2.75\times 10^5~m/s^2$ $a = (2.75\times 10^5~m/s^2)(\frac{1~g}{9.8~m/s^2})$ $a = 28,000~g$ Experiments have shown that some people can lose consciousness at g-forces of about $5g$. Some early experiments with g-forces have tested humans at g-forces of about $15~g$ for short periods of time. These experiments placed humans under great stress. We can assume that g-forces of $28,000~g$ would be deadly to astronauts.
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