A spaceship moving at 300 m/sec eastward originally, starts one of its rocket en

Question

A spaceship moving at 300 m/sec eastward originally, starts one of its rocket engines so that it will change its orbit. The acceleration in the northward direction is 2.0 m/sec^2 and the eastward direction is still remains as constant speed.

a) Find the magnitude of the speed 2.0 minutes later.

b) Find the direction of the speed 2.0 minutes later.

c) How long would it take for the ship to make a 45 degree turn toward northeast direction?

When I did (a) I came up with 540 m/sec but according to the answer key it is 384 m/sec. Also, (b) is supposed to be 39 degrees N of E, and (c) is 150 sec. I am equally lost on these. I am terrible at recognizing the correct equations for the situation. Please help.

Explanation / Answer

After 2 mins, eastward velocity=300m/s

northward velocity=2 x 2 x 60= 240m/s

hence magnitude= [300^2+ 240^2]^0.5= 384.19m/s

Remember that it is vector addition

direction after two mins,tan theta= 240/300

theta= 38.65 deg

for 45 deg turn, tan theta=1, both northward and eastward speed has to become same

hence for northward speed=300, we have

2 x t= 300

t=150s

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse A
• Subjects

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.