PHYS-1500 PHYSICAL MODELING
FALL 2006
9/05/2006, Class 3: Acceleration
NAME: ________________________________________
Work through lessons 1 and 2, that start on page 49. You will have to construct Model 2.7. Do
only parts a and b of lesson 1 (do not do part c). Sketch the graphs from lesson 1.b, and write
down the numerical results from lesson 2.
Then, try the following problem.
An accelerometer on board an airplane in level flight provides the record of acceleration vs. time,
over a 16.0 second period, given in the spreadsheet that is linked to this document. At the time
the record began, the airplane’s speed was 100 m/s. Just double click on the Excel icon to access
the data.
1. Make a graph of acceleration vs. time for the 16.0 second interval for which data are provided.
2. Calculate the velocity of the airplane as a function of time from t = 0 to t = 16.0 s. Make a
graph of v vs. t for that time interval.
3. What is the speed of the airplane at t = 16.0 s? Give the result in meters per second and miles
per hour.
Turn the paper over. There is more on the back.
4. Calculate the distance the airplane has traveled as a function of time from t = 0 to t = 16.0 s.
Make a graph of x vs. t for that time interval.
5. How far did the airplane travel in the 16.0 second interval? Express the answer in miles as
well as meters.