An engine of the orbital maneuvering system (OMS) on a space shuttle exerts a force of (26,700 N) ??? for 3.90 s, exhausting a negligible mass of fuel relative to the 95.000 kg mass of the rule (a) What is the impulse of the force for this 3.90 s? (b) What is the shuttle’s change in momentum from this impulse? (c) What is the shuttle’s change in velocity from this impulse? (d)Why can’t we find the resulting change in the kinetic energy of the shuttle?
Solution 10E Introduction We have to calculate the impulse and then momentum change and velocity change. Finally we have to discuss, instead of knowing all the above parameter, why can’t we calculate the kinetic energy change. Step 1 If F is the applied force and t is the time of application, then the impulse is given by $$J=F\Delta T = (26.700\ {\rm N})(3.90\ {\rm s})=104.13\ {\rm Ns}$$ Hence the impulse of the force is 104.13 Ns.
