The two pieces of the spacecraft are returned to their initial configuration wit
ID: 1499399 • Letter: T
Question
The two pieces of the spacecraft are returned to their initial configuration with a period of 241.6 seconds. A radiation leak is detected in one of the engines. An escape pod from each section of the spacecraft are ejected as indicated in the figure. Notice that the direction of rotation for the two pieces of the spacecraft is also indicated in the figure. The escape pods each have a mass of 6400 kg and are ejected with a speed of 116.44 m/s along the directions indicated in the figure with theta = 32.5 degrees. What is the new period of the remaining spacecraft after the two escape pods are ejected?Explanation / Answer
1). Relevant equations:
T = 1/f or f = 1/T
= 2*pi*f
L = I*
I = m*r^2
L(initial) = L(final)
2) The attempt at a solution :
First, I noted that this scenario should follow the principle of conservation of angualr momentum. Therefore
L(initial) = L(final) should be true. Then, I followed this series of steps...
L = I*
L = ( m*r^2)*
L = (2*(m*r^2))*
L = (2*(m*r^2))*2*pi*f
L = (2*(m*r^2))*2*pi*1/T
Upon finding this initial angular momentum, I thought I could find the final L by setting this expression equal to L(final) with the new radius to the axis point and with T set as an unknown variable.
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