Calculating the Initial Vertical Acceleration of a Saturn V Rocket

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating the initial vertical acceleration of a Saturn V rocket, given its mass of 2.75x10^6 kg and a force of 3.3x10^6 N. The user attempts to solve the problem using Newton's second law but arrives at an incorrect acceleration of -8 m/s^2. They question whether the force value should actually be 3.3x10^7 N instead, as this would yield the correct acceleration of 2.2 m/s^2. Other participants confirm the force value is indeed 3.3x10^6 N, suggesting that the textbook may contain an error. The conversation highlights the importance of verifying provided data in physics problems.
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Homework Statement


A Saturn V rocket has a mass of 2.75x10^6 Kg and exerts a force of 3.3x10^6N on the gases it expels.
determine the initial vertical acceleration of the rocket.



2. The attempt at a solution
heres my attempt...
F=3.3x10^6N
Fg=
M=2.75x10^6
Fnet-MA
F-Fg=ma
F-mg=ma
3.3x10^6-(2.75x10^6)(9.8)=2.75x10^6a
3.3x10^6-2.6x10^7=2.75x10^6a
-2.2x10^7=2.75x10^6a
-2.2x10^7/2.75x10^6=a
a=-8

The accual answer is 2.2m/s^2
Can someone explain to me what i got wrong?
 
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Are you sure it's 3.3x10^6N and not 3.3*10^7 N? You get the correct answer with 3.3*10^7 N.
 
ideasrule said:
Are you sure it's 3.3x10^6N and not 3.3*10^7 N? You get the correct answer with 3.3*10^7 N.

No I am sure its that
this question is straight from a textbook.
 
In that case, the textbook made a mistake.
 
ideasrule said:
In that case, the textbook made a mistake.
It must have!
 
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