A fighter jet is launched from an aircraft carrier with the aid of its own engines and a steam-powered catapult. The thrust of its engines is 2.1 105 N. In being launched from rest it moves through a distance of 87 m and has a kinetic energy of 3.8 107 J at lift-off. What is the work done on the jet by the catapult?

Question

A fighter jet is launched from an aircraft carrier with the aid of its own engines and a steam-powered catapult. The thrust of its engines is 2.1  105 N. In being launched from rest it moves through a distance of 87 m and has a kinetic energy of 3.8  107 J at lift-off. What is the work done on the jet by the catapult?

bobpursley · Answer

work= force*distance=final KE

but force=(fCatapult+forceEngine)

put that in the first equation, and you should be able to solve for fcatapult*distance, which is the work done on the jet by the catapult

Bunny · Answer

You could also make an equation with the 3.8(10^7). You take that minus the newtons multiplied by the meters.