Question

Artifical gravity is a must for any space station if humans are to live there for any extended length of time. Without artificial gravity, human growth is stunted and biological functions break down.

The most effective way to create artificial gravity is through the use of a rotating enclosed cylinder, as shown in the figure. Humans walk on the inside edge of the cylinder, which is sufficiently large that its curvature is not a factor. The space station rotates at a speed designed to apply a radial force on its inhabitants that mimics the normal force they would experience on Earth.

One danger posed by the space station is the possibility of an entity (whatever that may be) increasing the rotational speed while humans are inside.

Humans can typically withstand accelerations up to 40.0g.

Suppose alien creatures install a rocket possessing 2.6111×10^5 N of thrust to the outside of the rotating space station, as shown. How long would it take (in days) for the artificial gravity to exceed 40.0g? Assume that the artificial gravity was 9.81 m/s^2 before the rocket was installed, and that the inside and outside diameters of the space station are d1= 1.25 km and d2=1.26km (respectively), its height is 35.0 m and that the station is largely aluminum alloy of density p=2.60 g/cm^3.

Answer 1

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