Relative velocity of exhaust in Ideal Rocket Equation

In summary, the Ideal Rocket Equation is derived using the fact that the velocity of the exhaust in the observer frame is equal to the velocity of the rocket minus the speed of the exhaust relative to the rocket. This can also be expressed as the velocity of the exhaust being equal to the velocity of the rocket plus the change in velocity during the ejection, minus the speed of the exhaust. However, both expressions lead to the same result in the derivation, making them both valid.
  • #1
ln(
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In this derivation of the Ideal Rocket Equation (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsiolkovsky_rocket_equation#Most_popular_derivation), they use the fact that ##V_e = V - v_e##, or that the velocity of the exhaust in the observer frame ##V_e## is the velocity of the rocket ##V## minus the speed of the exhaust relative to the rocket ##v_e##.

But since the rocket has sped up by ##dV## during the time it took to eject the exhaust, shouldn't this expression really be ##V_e = V + dV - v_e##? Note that even if my reasoning is correct, it doesn't actually make a difference in the derivation because dV ends up being in a product of two differentials, which equals 0.
 
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  • #2
ln( said:
Note that even if my reasoning is correct, it doesn't actually make a difference in the derivation because dV ends up being in a product of two differentials, which equals 0.
Exactly. Two ways to derive the same result. Both are fine.
 

1. What is the ideal rocket equation?

The ideal rocket equation is a mathematical equation that describes the motion of a rocket in a vacuum. It takes into account the mass of the rocket, the velocity of the exhaust, and the change in velocity of the rocket.

2. How does the ideal rocket equation relate to the relative velocity of exhaust?

The ideal rocket equation includes the relative velocity of the exhaust as one of its variables. This is because the velocity of the exhaust affects the overall velocity of the rocket.

3. Why is the relative velocity of exhaust important in the ideal rocket equation?

The relative velocity of exhaust is important because it determines the amount of thrust and acceleration that the rocket experiences. The higher the relative velocity of exhaust, the greater the thrust and acceleration, and therefore the faster the rocket can travel.

4. How does the relative velocity of exhaust change during a rocket launch?

During a rocket launch, the relative velocity of exhaust changes as the rocket expels fuel and moves through different stages. The initial relative velocity of exhaust is high, and as fuel is used up, the relative velocity decreases. However, as the rocket reaches higher altitudes, the relative velocity may increase again due to the decrease in atmospheric pressure.

5. How does the relative velocity of exhaust affect the overall performance of a rocket?

The relative velocity of exhaust is a crucial factor in determining the performance of a rocket. A higher relative velocity of exhaust can lead to a greater thrust and acceleration, allowing the rocket to achieve higher velocities and travel further. It also affects the efficiency of the rocket, as a higher relative velocity means more fuel is used to produce the same amount of thrust.

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