Question

a rocket with speed 3x106kg takes off from a launching pad and acquires a vertical velocity of 1ks/s at an altitude of 25km. calculate the potential energy and the kinetic energy

Answer 1

Mass of rocket = 3 x 106 kg

Velocity of rocket = 1km/s = 1000m/s

Altitude of rocket = 25km = 25000m

Acceleration due to gravity=9.8m/s^2

Potential energy = mgh

Potential energy = 3 x 106 x 9.8 x 25000 = 7791 x 10^4 J

Kinetic energy = 1/2mv^2

Kinetic energy = 1/2 x 3 x 106 x (1000)^2 = 159 x 10^6 J