In 2004 two Martian probes successfully landed on the Red Planet. The final phas

Question

In 2004 two Martian probes successfully landed on the Red Planet. The final phase of the landing involved bouncing the probes until they came to rest (they were surrounded by protective inflated “balloons”). During one of the bounces, the telemetry (electronic data sent back to Earth) indicated that the probe took off at 25.0 m/s at an angle of 20 and landed 110 m away (and then bounced again).

Assuming the landing region was level, determine the acceleration due to gravity near the Martian surface.

Explanation / Answer

The x velocity is not changing because gravity is an acceleration in the y direction only.
No acceleration in x means no change of velocity in x!

This means your final velocity is equal in your initial velocity, so instead of dx = .5 * (0 + 25cos(20))*t
we have
dx = .5*(25cos(20) + 25cos(20))*t.
you get:
dx = 25cos(20)*t or t = 18.72 seconds

Now use your value of t for your next two steps and you'll get the correct acceleration.

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse I
• Subjects

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.