Problem 8-61 Cons. of Momentum - Part 5 - A
A space vehicle and its fuel tank are moving with a velocity of \(350\; m/s\) toward a space station. The fuel tank is then jettisoned to the rear so that its velocity is only \(250\; m/s\) toward the station. What is the new speed of the space vehicle? The mass of the vehicle is \(3.25\) times that of the tank. [Ans. \(380\; m/s\)]
Accumulated Solution
No. If its momentum is increased and its mass unchanged then the velocity will be increased.
We expect, therefore, the velocity of the spaceship to be greater than \(350\; m/s\).