Final speed of a rotating spaceship

AI Thread Summary
To calculate the final speed of the rotating spaceship Discovery after a burst from its engine, one must consider the force applied, mass, and time. The force of 20 kN acting on a mass of 30,000 kg over 3 minutes results in acceleration, which can be calculated using Newton's second law (F = ma). The acceleration can then be used to determine the change in speed over the given time period. The expected final speed, according to the book, is 24,400 km/h, indicating that the calculations need to account for the increase in velocity due to the engine's burst. Properly applying the equations of motion will yield the correct final speed.
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Homework Statement



Lets imagine that in the movie 2010. The Discovery is rotating then they find it. Every time the ship reaches a speed in the circular motion of 24000 km/h the engine gives a burst of energy. Which amounts to 20 kN. The mass of the Discovery is 30.000 kg. The time from the engine gives a burst amounted to the above size to the ships engine going to sleep is 3 minutes.
How do I calculate the extra speed v_final which is achieved by the engine burst after the three minutes. Necletecting all other forces?

Is there a specific formula?

According to my book. the answer is suppsed to be 24400 km/h.

I have to tried to the formula

F = 1/2 \cdot m v_f^2 - 1/2 \cdot m v_i^2

But using that formula I arrive at v_final = v_initial.

What am I doing wrong?

Sincerely
Susanne
 
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Your scenario has the information: acceleration force (20 kN), mass (30 ton) and time (180 seconds); and you want to calculate the resulting change of speed. A way forward could be to figure out how force and mass relates to acceleration and how (constant) acceleration relates to change in speed.
 
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