Question on a Spaceship Drive -- changing acceleration is called what?

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the terminology associated with the rate of change of acceleration in a spaceship's propulsion system, specifically when transitioning from 1G to 2G acceleration. Participants explore whether there is a specific term for this rate of change and its relation to existing concepts in physics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about the term for the rate of change of acceleration from 1G to 2G and whether there are related formulas.
  • Another participant suggests the term "jerk" as the relevant term for the rate of change of acceleration.
  • A participant expresses surprise at the term "jerk," humorously suggesting a more complex name like "Oppenhoofer's Second Law of Dynamic Motion."
  • Further discussion includes references to higher derivatives of position, such as "snap" and "crackle," highlighting their lesser use in practical physics.
  • One participant comments on the whimsical nature of naming conventions in physics, particularly in relation to higher derivatives.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the term "jerk" for the rate of change of acceleration, but there is a light-hearted debate regarding the naming conventions of higher derivatives, indicating a mix of agreement on terminology and playful disagreement on the seriousness of those terms.

Contextual Notes

The discussion does not resolve whether there are additional terms or formulas related to the rate of change of acceleration, and the implications of specific impulse in this context remain unaddressed.

ckirmser
Messages
105
Reaction score
3
I couldn't find a relevant forum - that I could recognize, anyway - so, if this is in the wrong place, please feel free to move it to a more appropriate forum.

Ennywho, I have a question on terms.

Let's say there's a space probe's propulsion system that is currently providing an acceleration of 1G and it is being increased to 2G. The process of changing from a 1G acceleration to 2G takes, say, two minutes.

What is that rate of change from 1G to 2G called? Is there even a term for it? Are there any related formulas? Does it have something to do with specific impulse or any of the other common propulsion terms or procedures?

Thanx in advance!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Omigawd, I'd've never even thought of that term. I would've thought something a bit more - well, scholastic like "Oppenhoofer's Second Law of Dynamic Motion" with the term called "emphatic impulse," or something.

But, thanx, A.T., just what I was looking for.
 
The higher in derivative you go, the less this is used in real physics and the more it is used to win bar bets.
 

Similar threads

Undergrad Some thoughts about Bell's string paradox alternatives
  • · Replies 75 ·
3
Replies
75
Views
7K
Graduate What Are the Implications of the Bell Paradox on Accelerating Ships?
  • · Replies 25 ·
Replies
25
Views
5K
High School Metric Line Element Use: Do's & Don'ts for Accelerated Dummies?
  • · Replies 29 ·
Replies
29
Views
3K
Graduate Why does it take time to accelerate a bike from standstill to maximum speed?
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
4K
Undergrad Get geodesics & parallel transport on 2D surfaces (discrete timestep)
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
3K
  • Sticky
Undergrad Quantum Interpretations and Foundations Guidelines
  • · Replies 0 ·
Replies
0
Views
7K
Graduate F.O.R. and Acceleration/Deceleration Question
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K
Undergrad What, exactly, are invariants?
  • · Replies 144 ·
5
Replies
144
Views
12K
Undergrad Finance: does the volatility of a stock follow a certain distribution?
  • · Replies 24 ·
Replies
24
Views
4K
Deciding between Physics or Engineering after a very turbulent year
  • · Replies 23 ·
Replies
23
Views
3K