Calculating Area Under a Graph with Units in Gravity-Free Space

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating the area under a graph representing thrust in a gravity-free interstellar context. The thrust is given in kilonewtons (kN) and the position in kilometers (km), with additional parameters including the rocket's mass and initial velocity.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the conversion of thrust from kN to N and the implications of grid squares on the graph for calculating area. Questions arise regarding the interpretation of grid squares and the correct method for determining the area under the curve.

Discussion Status

There is ongoing clarification about the dimensions of grid squares and the calculations involved. Some participants are questioning the reasoning behind dividing thrust values by the number of grid squares, while others are attempting to verify their calculations and units.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the need to convert horizontal grid measurements to meters and express concern over the scale of their calculations. There is uncertainty regarding the correct interpretation of the graph's units and the area calculations.

juju1

Homework Statement


[/B]
In gravity-free interstellar space, a spaceship fires its engines to speed up. The total thrust of the engines as a function of position is shown in the graph below. F on the graph represents 79 kN of thrust. The rocket's mass is 11500 kg. Note the units on the graph - kN and km! The rocket's initial velocity is 1650 m/s.

What is the area of one grid square on the graph?

What is the area under the curve?

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


[/B]
i tried taking 79kN and converting into N, and got 79000. Then I divided by 2 because, if you see in the image that i linked, F=79kN and F takes up 2 grid squares...i got 39500 but that was wrong!
I don't think I can solve how to find area under graph if I can't find what one grid square equals. Also there are 26.5 grid squares in total.
 

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I am not sure what you mean by the statement,
juju1 said:
F takes up 2 grid squares.
. What made you divide by 2? Also, try answering the first question first.
 
If you look at the diagram, F goes up by 2.
So it would make sense to divide by 2, in order to get 1 grid
 
juju1 said:
What is the area of one grid square on the graph?

What is the area under the curve?

The Attempt at a Solution


[/B]
i tried taking 79kN and converting into N, and got 79000. Then I divided by 2 because, if you see in the image that i linked, F=79kN and F takes up 2 grid squares...i got 39500 but that was wrong!
I don't think I can solve how to find area under graph if I can't find what one grid square equals. Also there are 26.5 grid squares in total.
Convert the horizontal grids to meters.
 
ehild said:
Convert the horizontal grids to meters.
so it would be 395000000? that seems very big...
 
Looks like you have an extra zero. Please make sure of that. Also, what are the units of the area that you calculated? That is the area of one grid square. Now can you find the total area under the curve?
 
Chandra Prayaga said:
Looks like you have an extra zero. Please make sure of that. Also, what are the units of the area that you calculated? That is the area of one grid square. Now can you find the total area under the curve?
104670000?
 
How did you get that number? What are the units?
 

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