How far does a rover travel in the horizontal direction | StudySoup

Textbook Solutions for Physics with MasteringPhysics

Chapter 4 Problem 93PP

Question

Landing Rovers on Mars When the twin Mars exploration rovers, Spirit and Opportunity,

set down on the surface of the red planet in January of 2004, their method of landing was both unique and elaborate. After initial braking with retro rockets, the rovers began their long

descent through the thin Martian atmosphere on a parachute until they reached an altitude of about 16.7 m. At that point a system of four air bags with six lobes each were inflated, addi-

tional retro rocket blasts brought the craft to a virtual standstill, and the rovers detached from their parachutes. After a period of free fall to the surface, with an acceleration of \(3.72\ \mathrm {m/s^2}\), the rovers bounced about a dozen times before coming to rest. They then deflated their air bags, righted themselves, and began to explore the surface.

Figure 4–25 shows a rover with its surrounding cushion of air bags making its first contact with the Martian surface. After a typical first bounce the upward velocity of a rover would be 9.92 m/s at an angle of \(75.0^\circ\) above the horizontal. Assume this is the case for the problems that follow.

How far does a rover travel in the horizontal direction between its first and second bounces?

A. 13.2 m B. 49.4 m

C. 51.1 m D. 98.7 m

Solution

Solution 93PP

Step 1 of 2

We are required to calculate the horizontal range of the rover.

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Title Physics with MasteringPhysics 4 
Author James S. Walker
ISBN 9780321541635

How far does a rover travel in the horizontal direction

Chapter 4 textbook questions

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