Question

A 7750 kg space probe, moving nose-first toward Jupiter at 179 m/s relative to the Sun, fires its rocket engine, ejecting 72.0 kg of exhaust at a speed of 230 m/s relative to the space probe. What is the final velocity of the probe?

Answer 1

Answer:

179.47m/s

Explanation:

Using the law of conservation of momentum

m1u1 + m2u2 = (m1+m2)v

m1 and m2 are the masses

u1 and u2 are the initial velocities

v is the final velocity

Substitute

7750(179)+72(230) = (7750+72)v

1,387,250+16560 = 7822v

1,403,810 = 7822v

v = 1,403,810/7822

v= 179.47m/s

Hence the final velocity of the probe is 179.47m/s