Answer 3—The force required is the acceleration times the mass:

f = m × a

 f = 0.5 kg × 506 m/s²

 f = 253 N

 A force of 253 N on a piston of 10 cm² represents a pressure of 253 kPa (36.7 psi). If you have a large enough reservoir at this pressure and a fast-acting, free-flowing valve, you should be able to drive this piston at relatively constant acceleration.

Contributor: David Tweed