An airplane accelerates at #"3.20 m/s"^2"# over #"32.8 s"# before takeoff. How far does it travel before takeoff?

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Answer 1 · 2016-10-12T21:15:36

The airplane travels 1720 m before takeoff.

Based on the variables in your question, the following equation will be used.

#d=v_it+1/2at^2#, where #d# is distance, #v_i# is initial velocity, #t# is time, and #a# is acceleration.

Known Values
#v_i=0#
#a="3.20 m/s"^2"#
#t="32.8 s"#

Unknown Value
#d#

Solution
Since #v_i=0#, #v_it=0#. Therefore we can eliminate #v_it# from the equation.

Substitute the known values into the equation and solve.

#d=1/2at^2#

#d=(at^2)/2#

#d=((3.20"m"/"s"^2)*(32.8"s")^2)/2#

#d=(3.20"m"/cancel("s"^2)*1075.84cancel("s"^2))/2="1720 m"# rounded to three significant figures