A rocket accelerates by burning its onboard fuel, so its mass decreases with time. Suppose the initial mass of the rocket at liftoff (including its fuel) is m, the fuel is consumed at rate r, and the exhaust gases are ejected with constant velocity ve [v followed by little e] (relative to the rocket). A model for the velocity of the rocket at time t is given by the equation below where g is the acceleration due to gravity and t is not too large.
v(t) = -gt - ve ln((m-rt)/m) [that's v then little e]
If g = 9.8 m/s2, m = 30000 kg, r = 160 kg/s, and ve = 3000 m/s, find the height of the rocket one minute after liftoff.
Ok, any ideas on where to start...? Dont you just plug in?
2007-07-31
09:56:50
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4 answers
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asked by
Anonymous