Rocket in deep space, no gravity

A question is this type if and only if it involves a rocket or spacecraft moving in deep space with no gravitational or external forces, requiring solution of the variable mass ODE to find speed as a function of time or mass.

2 questions · Challenging +1.2

6.03b Conservation of momentum: 1D two particles6.06a Variable force: dv/dt or v*dv/dx methods
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OCR MEI M4 2008 June Q1
12 marks Challenging +1.2
1 A rocket in deep space starts from rest and moves in a straight line. The initial mass of the rocket is \(m _ { 0 }\) and the propulsion system ejects matter at a constant mass rate \(k\) with constant speed \(u\) relative to the rocket. At time \(t\) the speed of the rocket is \(v\).
  1. Show that while mass is being ejected from the rocket, \(\left( m _ { 0 } - k t \right) \frac { \mathrm { d } v } { \mathrm {~d} t } = u k\).
  2. Hence find an expression for \(v\) in terms of \(t\).
  3. Find the speed of the rocket when its mass is \(\frac { 1 } { 3 } m _ { 0 }\).
OCR MEI M4 2012 June Q1
11 marks Challenging +1.2
1 A rocket in deep space has initial mass \(m _ { 0 }\) and is moving in a straight line at speed \(v _ { 0 }\). It fires its engine in the direction opposite to the motion in order to increase its speed. The propulsion system ejects matter at a constant mass rate \(k\) with constant speed \(u\) relative to the rocket. At time \(t\) after the engines are fired, the speed of the rocket is \(v\).
  1. Show that while mass is being ejected from the rocket, \(\left( m _ { 0 } - k t \right) \frac { \mathrm { d } v } { \mathrm {~d} t } = u k\).
  2. Hence find an expression for \(v\) at time \(t\).