Maximum Momentum and Kinetic Energy of a Rocket

• Philip Blanco ^[1]
  1. [1] Grossmont College

     Grossmont College

     Estados Unidos

     
• Localización: The Physics Teacher, ISSN 0031-921X, Vol. 58, Nº. 8, 2020, págs. 534-535
• Idioma: inglés
• Texto completo no disponible (Saber más ...)
• Resumen

  • A rocket in free space accelerates from rest by continuously expelling fuel; as its speed increases, its mass decreases. At what speed (and remaining mass) does the rocket carry maximum momentum? Maximum kinetic energy? The answers provide insights into the dynamics of variable-mass systems, and have applications to planetary defense that are engaging for students of introductory mechanics.