How Much Kinetic Energy Does a Saturn V Rocket Reach at 11.2 km/s?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating the kinetic energy of a Saturn V rocket with a mass of 2.3 x 10^5 kg traveling at a speed of 11.2 km/s. The correct formula for kinetic energy is emphasized as KE = (1/2)mv^2, where the velocity must be converted to meters for accurate calculations. Participants clarify that the initial mass was misrepresented, and the conversion from kilometers to meters was incorrectly applied, leading to confusion in the calculations. Ultimately, the correct kinetic energy calculation yields approximately 6.58 x 10^9 joules. The thread highlights the importance of unit consistency and proper application of formulas in physics problems.
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[SOLVED] Conservation of EnErGy Problem help please :(

Homework Statement



If a Saturn V rocket with an Apollo spacecraft attached has a combined mass of 2.3 105 kg and reached a speed of 11.2 km/s, how much kinetic energy would it then have?


Homework Equations



k= m(vsquared)/ 2


The Attempt at a Solution



I multiplied 11.2km by 1000m to get 112000m and i squared that. then i multiplied it by 105kg and then divided by two but i got the wrong answer. please help! what am i doing wrong! thank you soo much.
 
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please help me with this problem .
 
Please Please Please Help!
 
physicsbhelp said:
... a combined mass of 2.3 105 kg

well.. 11.2 * 1000 = 11200 and not 112000!
what is the combined mass?? 105kg? or, 2,3105kg, or what??
what is the answer?
 
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the equation is half of mass times velocity squared. square the velocity, then multipy that by half of the mass. Thant is your kinetic energy. (1/2)m(v^2) Where in the equation say mulitiply by 1000m?
 
saket: i meant 11200, i put 11200 in my calculator not 112000 sorry it was a typo.
and where did you get the number 2,3105kg from?
I DON'T KNOW THE ANSWER??

and antineutron i multiplied it by 1000m so i could have common units you know-- like you should use km rather than m. so that is why i multiplied it by 1000.
and i used that equation you told me but i am still getting it wrong.
 
tell me all the units that are in energy.

what units are included in Newtons? Nm=J which is energy right?

N=kg(m/s^2) , so kinetic energy should be in units of Nm=kg(m^2/s^2) first, convert to the correct units, then use the formula to get the result.
 
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I think your statements have flaws.
Have you directly quoted the question or have you tried to put it up in your own words?
And, when you say, "i got the wrong answer" .. you should be knowing the correct answer?
Anyways, as far as classical Kinematics go:
Kinetic Energy = m*(v^2)/2.

{From where did I get 2,1305 kg? Look at what have I quoted in last post in this thread.}

Anyways, if mass is 105kg, and speed is 11.2km/s.. KE = 6.58 x 10^9 J.

Another probabiltiy is the question being put up in an inappropriate fashion.
Looking at the speed with which they are projected, (if from Earth), they will escape from Earth... and if your question is referring to this, final speed should be zero => KE = 0, but.. finally!
 
thankyou for your help, but my friend explained it to me.
 
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