Rocket Acceleration: Linear or Exponential?

AI Thread Summary
Rockets experience exponential acceleration due to the constant loss of mass as fuel is burned, which reduces their weight and increases acceleration. In a vacuum, such as deep space where gravitational forces are negligible, this effect becomes more pronounced. The Tsiolkovsky rocket equation is essential for understanding this phenomenon, as it describes the relationship between the rocket's velocity, mass, and exhaust velocity. The discussion emphasizes that the initial condition of starting from rest further supports the exponential acceleration concept. Overall, the consensus is that rockets exhibit exponential acceleration in the absence of external gravitational forces.
galaticman
Messages
8
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


Do rockets have linear or exponential acceleration?

The Attempt at a Solution


This is not a homework question I was just wondering if Rockets have linear or exponential acceleration. I was thinking that they have exponential acceleration because of the constant loss of mass due to the exhausted fuel, which in turn makes the rocket lighter and increases its acceleration exponentially. I am not sure if this is correct or not. Please help!

EDIT: Say that this is a rocket in deep space where gravity from another body is zero, and the rocket starts from rest.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Thread 'Variable mass system : water sprayed into a moving container'

Thread 'Variable mass system : water sprayed into a moving container'

Starting with the mass considerations #m(t)# is mass of water #M_{c}# mass of container and #M(t)# mass of total system $$M(t) = M_{C} + m(t)$$ $$\Rightarrow \frac{dM(t)}{dt} = \frac{dm(t)}{dt}$$ $$P_i = Mv + u \, dm$$ $$P_f = (M + dm)(v + dv)$$ $$\Delta P = M \, dv + (v - u) \, dm$$ $$F = \frac{dP}{dt} = M \frac{dv}{dt} + (v - u) \frac{dm}{dt}$$ $$F = u \frac{dm}{dt} = \rho A u^2$$ from conservation of momentum , the cannon recoils with the same force which it applies. $$\quad \frac{dm}{dt}...
View full post »
Thread 'Minimum mass of a block'

Thread 'Minimum mass of a block'

Here we know that if block B is going to move up or just be at the verge of moving up ##Mg \sin \theta ## will act downwards and maximum static friction will act downwards ## \mu Mg \cos \theta ## Now what im confused by is how will we know " how quickly" block B reaches its maximum static friction value without any numbers, the suggested solution says that when block A is at its maximum extension, then block B will start to move up but with a certain set of values couldn't block A reach...
View full post »

Similar threads

Rocket + Connected Body Dynamics problem
Replies
47
Views
3K
How to calculate velocity of infinite-stage rocket?
Replies
2
Views
1K
Force and acceleration of a rocket
Replies
3
Views
2K
Rocket acceleration problem: confused about Newton's 2nd Law
Replies
42
Views
5K
Time dilation and length contraction for a rocket
Replies
12
Views
3K
How Does the Relativistic Rocket Equation Describe Velocity?
Replies
2
Views
2K
Liquid rocket engine excercise
Replies
1
Views
941
What is the Correct Acceleration of the Rocket During Its Launch Phase?
Replies
3
Views
2K
Constant acceleration in a rocket
Replies
4
Views
2K
Hitting a rocket with a projectile
2
Replies
53
Views
5K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top