(2) The so-called rocket equation is v – vo = Vez In(mo/m), where v and m are the speed and mass of the rocket at a certain time, vo and mo are the corresponding initial values, and vez is the exhaust speed of the burning fuel relative to the rocket. A certain two-stage rocket carries 70% of its initial mass as fuel. In the first stage, it burns 40% of its fuel. In the second stage, the rocket first ejects the first-stage fuel tank, which has mass 0.2mo, and then burns the rest of its fuel. (a) In terms of ver, what is the final speed of the rocket ? (b) Had all the fuel been burned in a single stage, without ejecting the first stage fuel tank, what would have been the final speed ?

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**Rocket Equation and Two-Stage Rocket Problem**

The so-called rocket equation is given by:

\[ v - v_0 = v_{\text{ex}} \ln(m_0/m) \]

where \( v \) and \( m \) are the speed and mass of the rocket at a certain time, \( v_0 \) and \( m_0 \) are the corresponding initial values, and \( v_{\text{ex}} \) is the exhaust speed of the burning fuel relative to the rocket.

**Problem Description:**

A certain two-stage rocket carries 70% of its initial mass as fuel. In the first stage, it burns 40% of its fuel. In the second stage, the rocket first ejects the first-stage fuel tank, which has a mass of \( 0.2m_0 \), and then burns the rest of its fuel.

**Questions:**

(a) In terms of \( v_{\text{ex}} \), what is the final speed of the rocket?

(b) Had all the fuel been burned in a single stage, without ejecting the first-stage fuel tank, what would have been the final speed?

**Solution Approach:**

- To solve (a), calculate the remaining mass at each stage and apply the rocket equation considering the ejection of the first-stage fuel tank.
- For (b), consider the scenario where all the fuel is burned without stage separation, and calculate the final speed using the rocket equation.
Transcribed Image Text:**Rocket Equation and Two-Stage Rocket Problem** The so-called rocket equation is given by: \[ v - v_0 = v_{\text{ex}} \ln(m_0/m) \] where \( v \) and \( m \) are the speed and mass of the rocket at a certain time, \( v_0 \) and \( m_0 \) are the corresponding initial values, and \( v_{\text{ex}} \) is the exhaust speed of the burning fuel relative to the rocket. **Problem Description:** A certain two-stage rocket carries 70% of its initial mass as fuel. In the first stage, it burns 40% of its fuel. In the second stage, the rocket first ejects the first-stage fuel tank, which has a mass of \( 0.2m_0 \), and then burns the rest of its fuel. **Questions:** (a) In terms of \( v_{\text{ex}} \), what is the final speed of the rocket? (b) Had all the fuel been burned in a single stage, without ejecting the first-stage fuel tank, what would have been the final speed? **Solution Approach:** - To solve (a), calculate the remaining mass at each stage and apply the rocket equation considering the ejection of the first-stage fuel tank. - For (b), consider the scenario where all the fuel is burned without stage separation, and calculate the final speed using the rocket equation.
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