Rocket acceleration after lauch and during flight

In summary, the acceleration of a rocket during launch depends on its fuel supply. A simple rocket will continue to accelerate until it runs out of fuel and then gravity takes over. However, if the rocket reaches escape velocity, gravity will not be able to pull it back to the planet. When the rocket wants to return to land, it will have a positive acceleration as long as the engine force exceeds 1g, but it will slow down slower than 9.81 m/s/s due to friction and air resistance.
  • #1
MIA6
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I know mostly that a rocket has acceleration when it is being launched, but does it still keep acceleration when it continues to fly? because my teacher said when this rocket goes up, the speed is decelerating due to gravity. Does this situation only for the rocket that doesn't have acceleration meanwhile, or to the rocket that still keeps acceleration,but i think if a rocket has an acceleration, then it won't be slowed down by gravity.. Hope you can help me out, thanks.
 
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  • #2
It depends on how the fuel supply is handles. A simple rocket will keep accelerating until it runs out of fuel. Then gravity takes over.
 
  • #3
Once the fuel is spent the accleration (neglecting air resistence and curvature of earth) must be 9.8 m/s^2 directed downward.
 
  • #4
When a rocket is going out of the atmosphere, let's say, it's burning fuel is causing a bigger upward acceleration, than gravity's downward acceleration. So, the rocket has a net upward acceleration.

After the fuel is spent, the only acceleration will be gravity's, and gravity will start to slow it down. If the rocket reached a velocity greater than or equal to what is called the escape velocity, gravity will not be able to pull it back to the planet. Gravity will still slow it down, it just won't be able to make the rocket reverse direction.
 
  • #5
As everyone has already stated, the rocket will have a positive acceleration for as long as the engine force exceeds 1g. Below that power, a negative acceleration is in effect. (This is assuming an Earth-based launch.)
Some confusion arises in non-scientists sometimes because not everyone realizes that slowing down is also an acceleration, or that a change of direction at constant speed also is.
 
  • #6
when a rocket wants to return to the land, does it also have acceleration when it returns? it may be probably bigger than 9.81
 
  • #7
Due to friction, its going to be less than 9.81. The air will slow down the rocket and heat it up. It might come in very fast at Mach 10, but that's velocity, not acceleration. Its going to slow down slower than 9.81 m/s/s.
 

Related to Rocket acceleration after lauch and during flight

1. How does a rocket accelerate after launch?

After launch, a rocket accelerates by burning its fuel and producing thrust. The thrust generated by the rocket's engines pushes it forward, causing it to accelerate. As the fuel is burned and expelled out of the rocket, the rocket becomes lighter, allowing it to accelerate even faster.

2. What factors affect the acceleration of a rocket during flight?

Several factors can affect the acceleration of a rocket during flight, including the amount of thrust produced by the engines, the weight of the rocket and its payload, and the efficiency of the rocket's design. Air resistance can also play a role in the acceleration of a rocket, especially during the initial stages of flight.

3. How fast can a rocket accelerate during flight?

The acceleration of a rocket during flight can vary depending on the factors mentioned above. However, most rockets can reach speeds of several thousand miles per hour during their flight. The acceleration rate can also change during different stages of the flight, depending on the amount of fuel and thrust available.

4. What happens to the acceleration of a rocket as it approaches space?

As a rocket climbs higher into the atmosphere, the air becomes thinner, resulting in less air resistance. This decrease in air resistance allows the rocket to accelerate at a faster rate. Additionally, as the rocket nears the edge of space, it also experiences less gravitational pull from Earth, further increasing its acceleration.

5. Can a rocket's acceleration be controlled during flight?

Yes, a rocket's acceleration can be controlled during flight through the use of steering mechanisms and adjusting the thrust of its engines. These controls allow the rocket to change its direction and speed, making it possible to reach specific destinations in space and control the rate of acceleration.

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