- #1
Tschew
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URGENT. Simple satellite / rocket separation problem... is my thinking wrong?
Rocket mass M-kM and satellite kM (k < 0) are separated by an explosion which releases energy Q and let's rocket M-kM come to a stop relative to the observer and satellite kM continue at velocity v. Initial velocity u.
One has to show that v² = 2Q / kM(1-k) the solution of which is rather trivial, when using the following relationship:
(1) 1/2 (M-kM) u² - Q = 0
and then
(2) 1/2 kM u² + Q = 1/2 kM v²
replacing u² from (1)
However, first of all, if all energy is used up to decelerate the rocket, where does the extra kinetic energy of the satellite come from? Shouldn't half the energy go to the rocket and half to the satellite? (Of course, all this considering an instantaneous transfer of energy)
Also, since momentum should be conserved then shouldn't this be true?
M u = kM v [since M-kM comes to a halt]
Now, replacing everything with numbers:
M=5 k=0.2 kM=1 u = 3
1/2*(4)*9 = Q = 18
1/2*1*9 + 18 = 1/2*1*v²
9+36=v²
45 = v²
v = 6.7
--> 5 * 3 = 1 * 6.7 ? NOPE
Also: v² = 2Q / kM(1-k) = 36 / 0.8 = 45 which is certainly the same as otherwise, but still momentum is not conserved.. although it should be right?
Wouldn't it be much more useful to say:
M*u = kM*v
v = u/k ?
Please clarify the issue as I seem to have serious problems understanding it even though it is a simple linear momentum / energy problem! grr!
Thanks.
Rocket mass M-kM and satellite kM (k < 0) are separated by an explosion which releases energy Q and let's rocket M-kM come to a stop relative to the observer and satellite kM continue at velocity v. Initial velocity u.
One has to show that v² = 2Q / kM(1-k) the solution of which is rather trivial, when using the following relationship:
(1) 1/2 (M-kM) u² - Q = 0
and then
(2) 1/2 kM u² + Q = 1/2 kM v²
replacing u² from (1)
However, first of all, if all energy is used up to decelerate the rocket, where does the extra kinetic energy of the satellite come from? Shouldn't half the energy go to the rocket and half to the satellite? (Of course, all this considering an instantaneous transfer of energy)
Also, since momentum should be conserved then shouldn't this be true?
M u = kM v [since M-kM comes to a halt]
Now, replacing everything with numbers:
M=5 k=0.2 kM=1 u = 3
1/2*(4)*9 = Q = 18
1/2*1*9 + 18 = 1/2*1*v²
9+36=v²
45 = v²
v = 6.7
--> 5 * 3 = 1 * 6.7 ? NOPE
Also: v² = 2Q / kM(1-k) = 36 / 0.8 = 45 which is certainly the same as otherwise, but still momentum is not conserved.. although it should be right?
Wouldn't it be much more useful to say:
M*u = kM*v
v = u/k ?
Please clarify the issue as I seem to have serious problems understanding it even though it is a simple linear momentum / energy problem! grr!
Thanks.