What is the mass of the lunar lander using the PhETLunar Lander applet?

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around determining the mass of a lunar lander using the PhETLunar Lander applet, with known values for maximum engine acceleration and lunar gravitational acceleration. The problem involves applying principles from mechanics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss various methods attempted, including Newton's second law, conservation of energy, and conservation of momentum. There are questions about why mass cancels out in their equations and difficulties in isolating mass.

Discussion Status

The conversation is ongoing, with participants seeking clarification on the original poster's attempts and the reasoning behind their challenges. Some guidance is offered regarding the presentation of work, but no consensus or resolution has been reached.

Contextual Notes

There is a noted absence of detailed work from the original poster, which may be affecting the ability of others to provide targeted assistance. Participants are also navigating the constraints of homework guidelines regarding the sharing of solutions.

Danya314
Messages
15
Reaction score
1

Homework Statement


Using the PhETLunar Lander applet, we are to find the mass of the lunar lander. We know the maximum acceleration of the module's engines and gravitational acceleration of the moon.

Homework Equations


F=ma
mgh=1/2mv^2
f*t=p

The Attempt at a Solution


Everytime I try to symbolically solve for the mass, the mass cancels out. I have tried using Newton's 2nd Law equations, conservation of energy, work-energy, and conservation of momentum. I can't seem to isolate mass on one side of an equation.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Kind of hard to figure out what you might be doing wrong since you did not post any work for us to look at.
 
phinds said:
Kind of hard to figure out what you might be doing wrong since you did not post any work for us to look at.
What I have done so far isn't wrong, it just isn't getting me the answer I need. Like I said, I can't isolate mass on one side of an equation without cancelling the term out.
 

Attachments

  • help.JPG
    help.JPG
    70.9 KB · Views: 491
Probably be a good idea not to post your work sideways.
 

Similar threads

Help: Projectile Motion with Forces Problem -- Lunar Lander
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
Undergrad Solving Sub-Problem for OpenAI Lunar Lander v2: Seeking Advice
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
Undergrad Lunar Slingshot Maglev: NASA's Energy Savings for Mars & Beyond
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
Decending Lunar lander velocity
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
6K
Lunar lander in orbit around the moon and how much work the thrusters do
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
9K
How to Calculate Work for Lunar Lander Orbit Change
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
6K
What is the impact speed of the lunar module?
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
7K
Problem with pulleys - two fixed and one movable
  • · Replies 22 ·
Replies
22
Views
2K
Experimental Design: Pulley and Mass Hangers
  • · Replies 30 ·
2
Replies
30
Views
4K
Misunderstanding Work-energy theorem and center of mass properties
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K