Help Needed: Kinetic & Potential Energy Physics Question

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion centers around a physics problem involving kinetic and potential energy, specifically related to a rocket's speed and the exhaust gases produced when fuel is burned. The original poster seeks clarification on the question's parameters and how to approach the problem.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants question the interpretation of "increased by 5.0 m/s Squared," with some suggesting it may refer to acceleration rather than speed. Others propose using conservation of momentum as a potential approach to the problem.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different interpretations of the problem's wording. Some guidance on using conservation of momentum has been suggested, but no consensus has been reached regarding the correct understanding of the initial conditions.

Contextual Notes

There is ambiguity in the problem statement regarding the units of speed increase, leading to questions about the correct interpretation and assumptions that need to be clarified.

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Question on Kinetic and potentail energy!

I need some major help on the physics question below. I need help quit quickly. I'm sorry if this thread is in the wrong section, but i don't think i have ever seen anything like this before. This is the question:

The Speed of the rocket shown, of mass 20 000kg, has to be increased by 5.0 m/s Squared. If it burns 10kg of fuel and oxygen in doing this, what is the speed of the exhaust gases produced?

The diagram of the rocket is irrelivent

I need someone to please explain how to work it out? I just can't figure it out.

Thanks
 
Last edited:
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"has to be increased by 5.0 m/s Squared"

What does this mean?
 
StatusX said:
"has to be increased by 5.0 m/s Squared"

What does this mean?
Yeah, speed can't be increased by 5m/s^2. Maybe 5m/s? Or is the acceleration 5m/s^s for some amount of time delta-t?
 
Chazzer3 said:
I need some major help on the physics question below. I need help quit quickly. I'm sorry if this thread is in the wrong section, but i don't think i have ever seen anything like this before. This is the question:

The Speed of the rocket shown, of mass 20 000kg, has to be increased by 5.0 m/s Squared. If it burns 10kg of fuel and oxygen in doing this, what is the speed of the exhaust gases produced?

The diagram of the rocket is irrelivent

I need someone to please explain how to work it out? I just can't figure it out.

Thanks

If it's 5 m/s, it's just conservation of momentum:

20,000 kg * (5 m/s) = 10 kg * v

So v = 20,000 / 10 * 5 m/s = 10,000 m/s.
 
From the given above, I agree that we need to use the equation in conservation of momentum.
 

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