On which one of the following conservative laws, does a rocket work?a)...
Rocket works on the principle of conservation of linear momentum.
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On which one of the following conservative laws, does a rocket work?a)...
Conservative Laws and Rocket Propulsion
Linear momentum is the correct choice for the conservative law on which a rocket works. Let's understand why.
Conservative Laws:
Conservative laws are fundamental principles in physics that describe the behavior of physical systems. These laws are derived from observations and experiments and are considered to be universally applicable.
Linear Momentum:
Linear momentum is a fundamental concept in physics that describes the motion of an object. It is defined as the product of an object's mass and its velocity. Mathematically, it can be represented as:
Linear momentum (p) = mass (m) × velocity (v)
Key Points:
- Linear momentum is a vector quantity, meaning it has both magnitude and direction.
- According to Newton's second law of motion, the rate of change of linear momentum of an object is directly proportional to the force acting on it.
- Momentum is conserved in a closed system, which means that the total momentum before an event is equal to the total momentum after the event, provided no external forces are acting on the system.
Rocket Propulsion:
Rockets work on the principle of action and reaction. They expel high-speed gases in one direction, known as the exhaust, which generates a reaction force in the opposite direction, propelling the rocket forward.
Key Points:
- The expelled exhaust gases have mass and velocity, contributing to the linear momentum of the rocket.
- According to Newton's third law of motion, for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.
- The action is the expulsion of exhaust gases, and the reaction is the forward propulsion of the rocket.
- As the exhaust gases are expelled at high speeds, they carry a considerable amount of linear momentum in the opposite direction, resulting in the rocket's motion.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, a rocket works based on the principle of conservation of linear momentum. By expelling exhaust gases at high speeds, the rocket gains momentum in the opposite direction, propelling itself forward. This principle is derived from Newton's third law of motion and forms the basis of rocket propulsion.