- #1
mcnealymt
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Homework Statement
A rocket is launched straight up from the Earth's surface at a speed of 1.80×104m/s . What is its speed when it is very far away from the earth? Answer in m/s
Homework Equations
K1+U1=K2+U2
The Attempt at a Solution
.5mV1^2-(G*m*Me)/r= .5mV2^2-(G*m*Me)/r
*** THe mass of the rocket should cancel out and the U1 aka (g*m*Me)/r should be zero.
you are left with:
.5V1^2=.5V2^2-(G*m*Me)/r
*** Now solve for V1
V1 = Square root of [ (.5V1^2+(GMe)/r)/.5 ]
I got 1.06 *10^4
what am I doing wrong? I know that you have to use conservation of energy and assume that since the rocket is traveling a very far distance the final potential energy is going to be zero. Could it be calculator issues?!