Engineers are designing a launcher that accelerates a probe along a straight test rail

PHYSICS · Multi-part · CBSE · Physics · Work, Energy and Power · Work, Energy and Power

Problem

Engineers are designing a launcher that accelerates a

0.40\,\text{kg}

probe along a straight test rail. The launcher delivers a force that varies with position according to a triangular profile: the force increases uniformly from

0\,\text{N}

x=0

to a maximum value

F_{0}

x = d/2

, then decreases uniformly back to

0\,\text{N}

x = d

. Beyond

x=d

no horizontal force acts on the probe. During a test the design goal is for the probe to reach a speed of

7.0\,\text{m}\,\text{s}^{-1}

x=d

, starting from rest at

x=0

. (a) In terms of

F_{0}

and

d

, determine the work done on the probe while it travels from

x=0

x=d

. (b) Using the information provided, calculate the required value of

F_{0}

d = 1.2\,\text{m}

. (c) Discuss whether the probe’s kinetic energy would change after passing

x=d

and, if so, describe that change. Justify your answer.

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