Question:

A rocket with a lift-off mass 20,000 \(\text {kg}\) is blasted upwards with an initial acceleration of 5.0 \(\text \,m \text s^{-2}\). Calculate the initial thrust (force) of the blast.

Updated On: Nov 2, 2023
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Solution and Explanation

Mass of the rocket, \(\text m\) = 20,000 \(\text {kg}\)
Initial acceleration, \(\text a\) = 5 \(\text m/\text s^2\)
Acceleration due to gravity, \(\text g\) = 10 \(\text m/\text s^2\)
Using Newton’s second law of motion, the net force (thrust) acting on the rocket is given by the relation:
\(\text F\) – \(\text {mg}\) = \(\text {ma}\)
\(\text F\) = \(\text m\) (\(\text g\) + \(\text a\)
\(\text F\) = 20000 × (10 + 5) = 20000 × 15 = \(3\times 10^5\) N 

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Concepts Used:

Newtons Laws of Motion

Newton’s First Law of Motion:

Newton’s 1st law states that a body at rest or uniform motion will continue to be at rest or uniform motion until and unless a net external force acts on it.

Newton’s Second Law of Motion:

Newton’s 2nd law states that the acceleration of an object as produced by a net force is directly proportional to the magnitude of the net force, in the same direction as the net force, and inversely proportional to the object’s mass.

Mathematically, we express the second law of motion as follows:

Newton’s Third Law of Motion:

Newton’s 3rd law states that there is an equal and opposite reaction for every action.