Asked by Bala

In 1865, Jules Verne suggested sending people to the Moon by launching a space capsule with a 228.8 m long cannon. The final speed of the capsule must reach 11.39 km/s. What acceleration would the passengers experience?

Answers

Answered by MathMate
Acceleration a from rest over a distance of S to a velocity of v is given by:
v²=2aS
or
v=11390 m/s
S=228.8m
a=v²/(2S)
=11390²/(2*228.8) m/s²
=283,505 m/s²
=28,929 g

Jules Verne had correctly calculated the escape velocity on planet earth, which is the velocity required for an object to leave earth's gravitation system <i>without</i> further propulson.

However, his suggestion did not include cases where propulsion could be continuous, in which case the acceleration can be much reduced.
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