A 4.5 104-kg space probe is traveling at a speed of 15000 m/s through deep space. Retrorockets are fired along the line of motion to reduce the probe's speed. The retrorockets generate a force of 3.0 105 N over a distance of 2400 km. What is the final speed of the probe?

Question

A 4.5  104-kg space probe is traveling at a speed of 15000 m/s through deep space. Retrorockets are fired along the line of motion to reduce the probe's speed. The retrorockets generate a force of 3.0  105 N over a distance of 2400 km. What is the final speed of the probe?

bobpursley · Answer

the retrorockets do work (force*distance). Intial KE-FinalKE= rocket work calculate final KE, then velocity.