Calculus in Space

by Rafael Martinez

Submitted : Fall 2014

In this problem we are asked to find two unknowns.  The first is how much gas is used by the thruster in 5.0 seconds.  We find the equation for this by looking at Newton’s second law of motion.  We then get our equation which we change to fit our needs. Once done we plug in our givens into the equation which gives us the gas used by the thruster in 5 seconds.  This answer will then help us obtain the answer to the second part of the question which asks for the thrust of the thruster.  We do this by multiplying the speed of escaping gas with gas lost per second. 

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