68. Many science fiction spaceships are powered by antimatter re- actors. Suppose a 20-m-long spaceship, with a mass of 15,000 kg when empty, carries 2000 kg of fuel: 1000 kg each of matter and antimatter. The matter and antimatter are slowly combined, and the energy of their total annihilation is used to propel the ship. After consuming all the fuel and reaching top speed, the spaceship flies past a space station that is stationary with respect to the planet from which the ship was launched. What is the length of the spaceship as measured by astronauts on the space station?

College Physics
11th Edition
ISBN:9781305952300
Author:Raymond A. Serway, Chris Vuille
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Chapter1: Units, Trigonometry. And Vectors
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1CQ: Estimate the order of magnitude of the length, in meters, of each of the following; (a) a mouse, (b)...
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68. Many science fiction spaceships are powered by antimatter re-
actors. Suppose a 20-m-long spaceship, with a mass of 15,000 kg
when empty, carries 2000 kg of fuel: 1000 kg each of matter
and antimatter. The matter and antimatter are slowly combined,
and the energy of their total annihilation is used to propel the
ship. After consuming all the fuel and reaching top speed,
the spaceship flies past a space station that is stationary with
respect to the planet from which the ship was launched. What
is the length of the spaceship as measured by astronauts on the
space station?
Transcribed Image Text:68. Many science fiction spaceships are powered by antimatter re- actors. Suppose a 20-m-long spaceship, with a mass of 15,000 kg when empty, carries 2000 kg of fuel: 1000 kg each of matter and antimatter. The matter and antimatter are slowly combined, and the energy of their total annihilation is used to propel the ship. After consuming all the fuel and reaching top speed, the spaceship flies past a space station that is stationary with respect to the planet from which the ship was launched. What is the length of the spaceship as measured by astronauts on the space station?
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