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Model rocket engines are sized by thrust, thrust duration, and total impulse, among other characteristics. A size \(\mathrm{C} 5\) model rocket engine has an average thrust of \(5.26 \mathrm{N},\) a fuel mass of \(12.7 \mathrm{g},\) and an initial mass of \(25.5 \mathrm{g} .\) The duration of its burn is \(1.90 \mathrm{s}\). (a) What is the average exhaust speed of the engine? (b) If this engine is placed in a rocket body of mass \(53.5 \mathrm{g},\) what is the final velocity of the rocket if it is fired in outer space? Assume the fuel burns at a constant rate.

Short Answer

Expert verified
The average exhaust speed of the engine is approximately 787.4 m/s. The final velocity of the rocket in outer space is approximately 316.8 m/s.

Step by step solution

01

Calculate the Total Impulse

The total impulse \( I \) is calculated by the relation \( I = Ft \), where \( F \) is the average thrust and \( t \) is the thrust duration. Substituting the respective values from the problem statement: \( I = 5.26 N * 1.90 s = 10 Ns \). Note that we need not convert to kilogram or meter as the unit of force in SI system is Newton(N) and time is in seconds(s).
02

Calculate the average exhaust speed

The average exhaust speed can be calculated using the equation for conservation of momentum in a rocket: \( v_{e} = \frac{I}{m_{Fuel}} \), where \(v_{e}\) is the exhaust velocity and \(m_{Fuel}\) is the fuel mass. We convert the fuel mass from gram to kilogram (as the SI unit for mass is kilogram). So the mass of the fuel is \(0.0127 kg\). Substituting the respective values we get: \(v_{e} = \frac{10 Ns}{0.0127 kg} = 787.4015748 m/s\). The average exhaust speed is approximately \(787.4 m/s\).
03

Find the final velocity of the rocket

The final velocity of the rocket fired in space can be found using Tsiolkovsky's rocket equation (equation of motion): \(v_{f} = v_{e} * ln(\frac{m_{i}}{m_{f}})\), where \(m_{i}\) is the initial mass of the spacecraft and \(m_{f}\) is the final mass of the spacecraft. The initial mass (m_{i}) is total of rocket body mass and the initial mass of the engine fuel: \(m_{i} = m_{rocket} + m_{fuel_{initial}} = 0.0535 kg + 0.0255 kg = 0.079 kg\). The final mass \(m_{f}\) is the rocket's mass after the fuel is burnt which is the rocket body mass \(m_{f} = 0.0535 kg\). Substituting the respective values we get \(v_{f} = 787.4 m/s * ln(\frac{0.079 kg}{0.0535 kg}) = 316.867394 m/s\). The final velocity of the rocket is approximately \(316.8 m/s\).

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Average Exhaust Speed
The average exhaust speed of a rocket engine is a key concept in understanding its performance. It is essentially the speed at which the exhaust gases exit the rocket nozzle. This speed is a measure of how effectively the engine can convert its fuel into thrust power.
To calculate the average exhaust speed (\( v_e \)), we apply the principle of conservation of momentum. The formula used is:
  • \( v_{e} = \frac{I}{m_{Fuel}} \)
Here, \( I \) is the total impulse, and \( m_{Fuel} \) is the fuel mass converted to kilograms.
In our specific problem, we found:
  • Total impulse, \( I = 10 \text{ Ns} \)
  • Fuel mass, \( m_{Fuel} = 0.0127 \text{ kg} \)
Thus, the average exhaust speed is approximately \( 787.4 \text{ m/s} \).
This high speed indicates a powerful expulsion of gases, which drives the rocket forward.
Tsiolkovsky's Rocket Equation
Tsiolkovsky's rocket equation is a fundamental principle in rocketry, allowing engineers to determine a rocket's velocity after expending a given amount of fuel. Named after the Russian scientist Konstantin Tsiolkovsky, this equation describes how a rocket's velocity changes regarding the mass of consumed fuel.
The formula is as follows:
  • \( v_f = v_e \cdot \ln\left(\frac{m_i}{m_f}\right) \)
Where:
  • \( v_f \) is the final velocity of the rocket,
  • \( v_e \) is the exhaust speed,
  • \( m_i \) is the initial mass (rocket body + fuel),
  • \( m_f \) is the final mass (rocket body).
For our scenario:
  • Initial mass, \( m_i = 0.079 \text{ kg} \)
  • Final mass, \( m_f = 0.0535 \text{ kg} \)
Substituting these values, the final velocity \( v_f \) is calculated as \( 316.8 \text{ m/s} \).
This equation is crucial because it shows how reducing a rocket's mass increases its velocity and performance.
Total Impulse
Total impulse is a vital concept in the study of model rocket engines. It represents the overall change in momentum that a rocket engine can produce. Essentially, it indicates the engine's capability to deliver thrust over time.
Expressed mathematically, total impulse (\( I \)) is the product of thrust (\( F \)) and thrust duration (\( t \)), given by:
  • \( I = F \cdot t \)
In the given problem, we calculate the total impulse as:
  • Thrust, \( F = 5.26 \text{ N} \)
  • Duration, \( t = 1.90 \text{ s} \)
  • Total impulse, \( I = 10 \text{ Ns} \)
This value helps understand the overall performance of the rocket engine, detailing how much "push" it can provide to move the rocket from rest.
In essence, a higher total impulse indicates a more efficient and powerful engine, crucial for achieving the desired velocity for model rockets.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

There are (one can say) three coequal theories of motion: Newton's second law, stating that the total force on an object causes its acceleration; the work- kinetic energy theorem, stating that the total work on an object causes its change in kinetic energy; and the impulse-momentum theorem, stating that the total impulse on an object causes its change in momentum. In this problem, you compare predictions of the three theories in one particular case. A 3.00-kg object has velocity 7.00 \(\hat{\mathbf{j}}\) m/s. Then, a total force \(12.0 \hat{\mathbf{i}} \mathrm{N}\) acts on the object for 5.00 s. (a) Calculate the object's final velocity, using the impulse-momentum theorem. (b) Calculate its acceleration from \(\mathbf{a}=\left(\mathbf{v}_{f}-\mathbf{v}_{i}\right) / \Delta t\) (c) Calculate its acceleration from \(\mathbf{a}=\Sigma \mathbf{F} / m\) (d) Find the object's vector displacement from \(\Delta \mathbf{r}=\mathbf{v}_{i} t+\frac{1}{2} \mathbf{a} t^{2}\).(e) Find the work done on the object from \(W=\mathbf{F} \cdot \Delta \mathbf{r}\).(f) Find the final kinetic energy from \(\frac{1}{2} m v_{f}\space^{2}$$=\frac{1}{2} m \mathbf{v}_{f} \cdot \mathbf{v}_{f}\).(g) Find the final kinetic energy from \(\frac{1}{2} m v_{i}\space^{2}+W\).

A proton, moving with a velocity of \(v_{i} \hat{\mathbf{i}},\) collides elastically with another proton that is initially at rest. If the two protons have equal speeds after the collision, find (a) the speed of each proton after the collision in terms of \(v_{i}\) and (b) the direction of the velocity vectors after the collision.

A rocket has total mass \(M_{i}=360 \mathrm{kg},\) including \(330 \mathrm{kg}\) of fuel and oxidizer. In interstellar space it starts from rest. Its engine is turned on at time \(t=0,\) and it puts out exhaust with relative speed \(v_{e}=1500 \mathrm{m} / \mathrm{s}\) at the constant rate \(2.50 \mathrm{kg} / \mathrm{s} .\) The burn lasts until the fuel runs out, at time \(330 \mathrm{kg} /(2.5 \mathrm{kg} / \mathrm{s})=132 \mathrm{s} .\) Set up and carry out a computer analysis of the motion according to Euler's method. Find (a) the final velocity of the rocket and (b) the distance it travels during the burn.

An object of mass \(3.00 \mathrm{kg},\) moving with an initial velocity of \(5.00 \mathrm{i} \mathrm{m} / \mathrm{s},\) collides with and sticks to an object of mass \(2.00 \mathrm{kg}\) with an initial velocity of \(-3.00 \hat{\mathbf{j}} \mathrm{m} / \mathrm{s} .\) Find the final velocity of the composite object.

An 80.0 -kg astronaut is working on the engines of his ship, which is drifting through space with a constant velocity. The astronaut, wishing to get a better view of the Universe, pushes against the ship and much later finds himself \(30.0 \mathrm{m}\) behind the ship. Without a thruster, the only way to return to the ship is to throw his \(0.500-\mathrm{kg}\) wrench directly away from the ship. If he throws the wrench with a speed of \(20.0 \mathrm{m} / \mathrm{s}\) relative to the ship, how long does it take the astronaut to reach the ship?

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