Q.46 A rocket accelerates straight up by ejecting gas downwards. In a small time interval ∆Δt, it ejects a gas of mass Am at a relative speed u. Calculate KE of the entire system at t + ∆Δt and t and show that the device that ejects gas does work = (1/2) ∆mu2Δmu2 in this time interval (negative gravity).
Let M be the mass of the rocket at any time t and v1v1 the velocity of the rocket at the same time t.
Let ∆Δm is the mass of gas ejected in time interval ∆Δt.
The relative speed of gas = u.
Consider at time t + ∆Δt
(KE)t+Δt=KE of rocket + KE of gas =12(M−Δm)(v+Δv)2+12Δm(v−u)2 =12Mv2+MvΔv−Δmvu+12Δmu2(KE)t=KE of the rocket at time t=12Mv2ΔK=(KE)t+Δt−(KE)t =(MΔv−Δmu)v+12Δmu2
Since action-reaction forces are equal.
Hence,
Mdvdt=dmdtu⇒ MΔv=Δmu ΔK=12Δmu2
Step 2: Find work done by applying work-energy theorem
Now, by work-energy theorem,
ΔK=ΔW⇒ ΔW=12Δmu2
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