Magnitude of Initial velocity of Spacecraft

AI Thread Summary
To calculate the magnitude of the initial velocity of the spacecraft, the correct approach involves using the final velocity components vx = 3782 m/s and vy = 4842 m/s. The magnitude of the velocity vector is determined by the formula |v| = √(vx² + vy²), which results in a magnitude of approximately 6000 m/s. The discussion highlights confusion regarding the use of equations, specifically the SUVAT equations for motion with constant acceleration. Participants emphasize the importance of correctly applying vector magnitude calculations rather than misinterpreting initial velocity components. Understanding these concepts is crucial for solving the problem accurately.
dragon18
Messages
12
Reaction score
0
On a spacecraft two engines fire for a time of 572 s. One gives the craft an acceleration in the x direction of ax = 5.15 m/s2, while the other produces an acceleration in the y direction of ay = 7.41 m/s2. At the end of the firing period, the craft has velocity components of vx = 3782 m/s and vy = 4842 m/s. Calculate the magnitude of the initial velocity.


I'm not sure what equations to use.



Attempt
add the square root of 3782 and the square root of 4842
take the square root of the sum 131.082
=11.42 m/s(incorrect)
 
Physics news on Phys.org
I'm not sure what equations to use.
This is motion with constant acceleration isn't it?
Use the suvat equations.

Attempt
add the square root of 3782 and the square root of 4842
take the square root of the sum 131.082
You are saying you did: ##\sqrt{\sqrt{v_x}+\sqrt{x_y}}## ?
=11.42 m/s(incorrect)
Well yes - it would be.

1. those numbers are the final velocities
2. the magnitude of a vector is ##|\vec{v}|=\sqrt{v_x^2+v_y^2}##
 
Last edited:
so do I use the equation v=u+at?
 
Try it and see.
 
which number do I use though? It keeps telling me its wrong no matter what I put
 
Please show your working.
 
Kindly see the attached pdf. My attempt to solve it, is in it. I'm wondering if my solution is right. My idea is this: At any point of time, the ball may be assumed to be at an incline which is at an angle of θ(kindly see both the pics in the pdf file). The value of θ will continuously change and so will the value of friction. I'm not able to figure out, why my solution is wrong, if it is wrong .
Thread 'Trying to understand the logic behind adding vectors with an angle between them'
My initial calculation was to subtract V1 from V2 to show that from the perspective of the second aircraft the first one is -300km/h. So i checked with ChatGPT and it said I cant just subtract them because I have an angle between them. So I dont understand the reasoning of it. Like why should a velocity be dependent on an angle? I was thinking about how it would look like if the planes where parallel to each other, and then how it look like if one is turning away and I dont see it. Since...
Thread 'Voltmeter readings for this circuit with switches'
TL;DR Summary: I would like to know the voltmeter readings on the two resistors separately in the picture in the following cases , When one of the keys is closed When both of them are opened (Knowing that the battery has negligible internal resistance) My thoughts for the first case , one of them must be 12 volt while the other is 0 The second case we'll I think both voltmeter readings should be 12 volt since they are both parallel to the battery and they involve the key within what the...
Back
Top