Question

A satellite in a force - free space sweeps stationary interplanetary dust at a rate `dM//dt = alpha v`, where `M` is the mass , `v`is the velocity of the satellite and `alpha` is a constant. What is the deacceleration of the satellite ?
A. ` - 2 alpha v^(2) //M`
B. `- alpha v^(2)//M`
C. `+ alpha v^(2)//M`
D. `-alpha v^(2)`

Answer 1

Correct Answer - C
`F = (dp)/(dt) = v(dM)/(dt) = v xx alpha v = alpha v^(2)`
`a = (F)/(M) = (alpha v^(2))/(M)`