M5 June 2013 (R) Q3

EdexcelOld spec14 marksImpulse & Momentum

3. A spacecraft is moving in a straight line in deep space. The spacecraft moves by ejecting burnt fuel backwards at a constant speed of 2000 m s\(^{-1}\) relative to the spacecraft. The burnt fuel is ejected at a constant rate of \(c\) kg s\(^{-1}\). At time \(t\) seconds the total mass of the spacecraft, including fuel, is \(m\) kg and the speed of the spacecraft is \(v\) m s\(^{-1}\).

(a) Show that, while the spacecraft is ejecting burnt fuel,\[m\frac{\mathrm{d}v}{\mathrm{d}t} = 2000c\] (7)

At time \(t = 0\), the mass of the spacecraft is \(M_0\) kg and the speed of the spacecraft is 2000 m s\(^{-1}\). When \(t = 50\), the spacecraft is still ejecting burnt fuel and its speed is 6000 m s\(^{-1}\).

(b) Find \(c\) in terms of \(M_0\). (7)