Question

7 the space shuttle discovery takes 2 minutes to climb to an altitude of 45,000 meters. what is the space shuttles average velocity during this period?
22,500 m/s upward
750 m/s upward
45,000 m/s upward
375 m/s upward

Explanation:

Step1: Convert time unit

We know that \(1\) minute \( = 60\) seconds. So \(t=2\) minutes \(=2\times60 = 120\) seconds.

Step2: Use the formula for average velocity

The formula for average velocity \(v=\frac{\Delta x}{\Delta t}\), where \(\Delta x = 45000\) meters (displacement) and \(\Delta t=120\) seconds (time interval). Then \(v=\frac{45000}{120}\) \(m/s\).
Calculate \(\frac{45000}{120}=\frac{45000\div60}{120\div60}=\frac{750}{2}= 375\) \(m/s\) upward.

Answer:

\(375\) \(m/s\) upward (the fourth option)