Question

A 44,495 kg spacecraft is traveling through space with an initial speed of 1,290 m/s relative to Earth. A thruster fires for 27.4 seconds, exerting a continuous force of -1,284 N on the spacecraft. Calculate the final momentum of the spacecraft.

Answer 1

Answer:

The final momentum of the spacecraft is, p' = 57363368.4 kg m/s    

Explanation:

Given data,

The mass of the spacecraft. m = 44495 kg

The initial speed of the spacecraft, u = 1290 m/s

The thruster fires for the time, t= 27.4 s

The continuous force exerted by the thruster, F = 1284 N

The initial momentum of the spacecraft, p = mu

                              p = 44495 x 1290

                                 = 57398550 kg m/s

The final momentum of the spacecraft, p' = mv

According to newton's II law, the rate of change of momentum is equal to the force acting on the body.

                    $F=\frac{mv -mu}{t}$  

                                p' = Ft + mu

                                    = -1284 x 27.4 + 57398550

                                    = 57363368.4 kg m/s

Hence, the final momentum of the spacecraft is, p' = 57363368.4 kg m/s