Acceleration - Rocket 1d Kinematics

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a kinematics problem involving the acceleration of a spacecraft, Deep-Space 1 (DS-1), which is designed to increase its velocity through ion propulsion. Participants are exploring the calculations related to the spacecraft's acceleration and the time required to achieve a specific velocity increase.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the calculation of acceleration and question the consistency of units in their calculations. There are attempts to clarify the definitions of average acceleration and the relationships between velocity, time, and acceleration.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided guidance on maintaining unit consistency and revisiting the definitions of acceleration. There is acknowledgment of confusion regarding whether the calculated values represent average acceleration, and multiple interpretations of the problem are being explored.

Contextual Notes

One participant notes that the assignment is past due, indicating a time constraint, while expressing a desire to understand the problem despite the deadline.

Kildars
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Acceleration -- Rocket 1d Kinematics

NASA has developed Deep-Space 1 (DS-1), a spacecraft that is scheduled to rendezvous with the asteroid named 1992 KD (which orbits the sun millions of miles from the earth). The propulsion system of DS-1 works by ejecting high-speed argon ions out the rear of the engine. The engine slowly increases the velocity of DS-1 by about 19.0 m/s per day.

(a) How much time (in days) will it take to increase the velocity of DS-1 by 13000 m/s?
684.21 days

(b) What is the acceleration of DS-1 (in m/s2)?
m/s2

I got the days, but I can't find the acceleration, what am I missing?

I have tried to do 19.0 * 86400 which is how many seconds in one day.. and that doesn't work.. I have tried other things but too many things to list.
 
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Kildars said:
I have tried to do 19.0 * 86400 which is how many seconds in one day.. and that doesn't work.. I have tried other things but too many things to list.
Look again at the definition of acceleration. Look at your product. Are they consistent? It's a good habit to keep your units as you work through a problem. It will help you to know when your operations are not correct.
 
OlderDan said:
Look again at the definition of acceleration. Look at your product. Are they consistent? It's a good habit to keep your units as you work through a problem. It will help you to know when your operations are not correct.

Average Acceleration is [tex]\Delta x / \Delta t[/tex]

but is this average acceleration?

45 minutes to get these last three figured out ;).
 
Dan?

I got 15 min :-p
 
Kildars said:
Average Acceleration is [tex]\Delta x / \Delta t[/tex]

but is this average acceleration?

45 minutes to get these last three figured out ;).
Average Acceleration is [tex]\Delta v / \Delta t[/tex]
In your earlier post, you calculated [tex]\Delta v * \Delta t[/tex]
 
Thanks, assignment is past due but I'm still going to try and figure out, I'll just miss this problem, still an A no big deal.
 

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