A physics professor, equipped with a rocket backpack, steps out of a helicopter at an altitude of 592 m with zero initial velocity. (Neglect air resistance.) For 8.5 s, she falls freely. At that time, she fires her rockets and slows her rate of descent at 16 m/s2 until her rate of descent reaches 5.4 m/s. At this point, she adjusts her rocket engine controls to maintain that rate of descent until she reaches the ground.
(a) On a single graph, sketch her acceleration and velocity as functions of time. (Take upward to be positive.)
(b) What is her speed at the end of the first 8.5 s?
(c) What is the duration of her slowing-down period?
(d) How far does she travel while slowing down?
(e) How much time is required for the entire trip from the helicopter to the ground?
(f) What is her average velocity for the entire trip?