Calculating Momentum Change for Rocket Course Alteration

  • Thread starter Thread starter daxter17
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Momentum Rocket
AI Thread Summary
To calculate the momentum change for a rocket altering its course, one must consider the total mass of the rocket and its velocity. The rocket, with a mass of 3700 kg and a velocity of 110 m/s, aims to change direction by 35 degrees using expelled gases at 1900 m/s. The key to solving this problem lies in determining the momentum added in the perpendicular direction to achieve the desired course alteration. Understanding the momentum expelled per second is crucial for calculating the necessary gas mass to be expelled. A detailed breakdown of these calculations will lead to the solution.
daxter17
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
Hey, I've been having trouble with the following question, and I've tried all I can think of and still can't get it. Your help is much appreciated.

"A rocket with a total mass of 3700kg is traveling in outer space with a velocity of 110m/s towards the sun. It wishes to alter its course by 35.0 degrees, and can do this by firing its rockets briefly in direction perpendicular to its original motion. If the rocket gases are expelled at a speed of 1900m/s, how much gas mass must be expelled?"

I already know the answer, its just a matter of getting to the answer that I have trouble with. A detailed explanation in other words.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Welcome to PF!

Hi daxter17! Welcome to PF! :smile:

Hint: how much momentum is being expelled per second? :wink:
 
It doesn't say really that's the question right out of the textbook. Wish I could help more but I'm stuck myself.
 
daxter17 said:
"A rocket with a total mass of 3700kg is traveling in outer space with a velocity of 110m/s towards the sun. It wishes to alter its course by 35.0 degrees, and can do this by firing its rockets briefly in direction perpendicular to its original motion.

ok, so how much momentum is added in that perpendicular direction? :smile:
 

Thread 'Struggling to understand the concept of this question (ice cube in water optics question)'

TL;DR Summary: I came across this question from a Sri Lankan A-level textbook. Question - An ice cube with a length of 10 cm is immersed in water at 0 °C. An observer observes the ice cube from the water, and it seems to be 7.75 cm long. If the refractive index of water is 4/3, find the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. I could not understand how the apparent height of the ice cube in the water depends on the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. Does anyone have an...
View full post »
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 »

Similar threads

Rocket equation without infinite small variables
Replies
6
Views
2K
Forces - Space Shuttle Takeoff Calculations
Replies
22
Views
2K
How Much Mass Must a Rocket Expel to Alter Its Course by 35 Degrees?
Replies
1
Views
7K
How Fast Will the Rocket Travel After Using All Its Fuel?
Replies
7
Views
2K
Rocket Launch: Achieving Escape Velocity w/ Fuel-Mass Ratio of 300
Replies
3
Views
2K
How Much Gas Must a Rocket Expel to Alter Its Course by 23 Degrees?
Replies
1
Views
1K
Calculating Block Rise & Rocket Course Change: Help Needed!
Replies
1
Views
2K
What is the rockets momentum after the course change?
Replies
3
Views
2K
Calculating Mass of Gas Needed to Correct Rocket's Course
Replies
2
Views
6K
Calculate Rocket Fuel Mass for Course Change | 4350 kg Rocket in Space
Replies
4
Views
5K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top