Rocket Acceleration: Find Magnitude & Direction

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the magnitude and direction of a rocket's acceleration given its mass of 4.70E+5 kg and thrust of 7.39E+6 N at an angle of 50.8° above the horizontal. The initial calculation of acceleration using F=ma resulted in an incorrect value of 1.57E+11 m/s², which is deemed excessively large. Participants suggest incorporating additional forces and utilizing trigonometric equations to accurately determine the angle of acceleration.

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Homework Statement



A rocket of mass 4.70E+5 kg is in flight. Its thrust is directed at an angle of 50.8° above the horizontal and has a magnitude of 7.39E+6 N. Calculate the magnitude (enter first) and direction of the rocket's acceleration. Give the direction as an angle above the horizontal.


Homework Equations



F=ma
7.39x10^6N/4.70x10^5kg = 1.57x10^11m/s^2 is the Resultant Acceleration in a Vector Triangle. How do you determine the angle ? or is the one given in the Question.


The Attempt at a Solution

 
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Your acceleration is not correct. Assuming that the rocket fly near something with a horizon you most likely need to include one more force. Incidentally, the result of your calculation is also wrong (the magnitude of the number is way too big).

Regarding the angle, it may help to draw a diagram of the geometry and then see if some trigonometric equations can help you out.
 

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