Randall D. Knight — Kinematics in Two Dimensions: Problem Problem_66

Astronauts use a centrifuge to simulate the acceleration of a rocket launch. The centrifuge takes 30 s to speed up from rest to its top speed of 1 rotation every 1.3 s. The astronaut is strapped into a seat 6.0 m from the axis. a. What is the astronaut’s tangential acceleration during the first 30 s? b. How many g’s of acceleration does the astronaut experience when the device is rotating at top speed? Each 9.8 m/s2 of acceleration is 1 g.