Question

A rocket takes off from Earth's surface, accelerating straight up at 31.2 m/s2. Calculate the normal force (in N) acting on an astronaut of mass 85.9 kg, including his space suit. (Assume the rocket's initial motion parallel to the y-direction. Indicate the direction with the sign of your answer.)

Answer 1

Answer:

The value of the normal force is 2680.08N in the negative y direction

Explanation:

According to Newton's second law of motion, Force = mass × acceleration

Note that rocket takes off from Earth's surface, accelerating straight up at 31.2 m/s2,

Since the rocket accelerates upwards, the acceleration will be negative, since rockets acts contrary to the law of gravity(it keeps going into space without coming down)

acceleration of the rocket = -31.2m/s²

Mass of the astronaut = 85.9kg

Normal force acting on the astronaut = -31.2 × 85.9kg

= -2680.08N

The value of the normal force is 2680.08N in the negative y direction

Answer 2

Answer:

N = 3522.759 N in the upward direction

Explanation:

acceleration of the rocket, a = 31.2 m/s²

mass of the astronaut, m = 85.9 kg

g = 9.81 m/s²

Since the rocket takes off from Earth's surface, it moves upward and the equation, according to the second law of motion, is given by:

N - mg = ma

N - (85.9*9.81) = (85.9* 31.2)

N - 842.679 = 2680.08

N = 2680.08 + 842.679

N = 3522.759 N in the upward direction

Since the normal force is positive, it is in the upward direction.