Question

a jet fighter plane is launched from a catapult on an aircraft carrier. it reaches a speed of 42 m/s at the end of the catapult, and this requires 2.0 s. assuming the acceleration is constant, what is the length of the catapult? 16 m 24 m 42 m 84 m

Explanation:

Step1: Identify known values

The jet starts from rest (initial velocity \( u = 0\) m/s), final velocity \( v = 42\) m/s, time \( t = 2.0\) s, acceleration is constant. We can use the equation for displacement (length of catapult) in uniformly accelerated motion: \( s=\frac{(u + v)}{2}\times t\)

Step2: Substitute values into the formula

Substitute \( u = 0\) m/s, \( v = 42\) m/s, \( t = 2.0\) s into \( s=\frac{(0 + 42)}{2}\times2.0\)
First, calculate \(\frac{42}{2}=21\), then \(21\times2.0 = 42\) m

Answer:

42 m (corresponding to the option "42 m")