1. May 29, 2008

jamiescience

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

a 1.0*10^4kg spacecraft is traveling through space with a speed of 1200 m/s realtive to earth. a thruster fires for 2.0 min, exerting a continuous force of 25kN on the space craft in a direction opposite the spacecrafts motion . calculate the initial momentum and the fianl momentum kof the spacecraft.

2. Relevant equations

3. The attempt at a solution

2. May 29, 2008

G01

You need to show work here in order to get help. Those are the rules. What have you tried so far? What are you thoughts on the problem?

3. May 29, 2008

jamiescience

(-25*10^3)(2.0)=(1.0x10^4)(1200)+(1.0*10^4)(mvi)

4. May 29, 2008

G01

OK. Your big problem is with units. You have seconds on one side of the equation and minutes on the other side of the equation.

Also, remember the equation is:

Impulse =Change in Momentum.
$$J=\Delta p=p_f-p_i$$

Last edited: May 29, 2008
5. May 29, 2008

jamiescience

ok so it would be 120s instead of 2.0min

6. May 29, 2008

jamiescience

(-25*10^3)(120)= (1.0*10^4)(mvi)-(1.0x10^4)(1200)

7. May 30, 2008

G01

That looks good to me.