Re: Rocket action

[John Denker <jsd@MONMOUTH.COM>]

The classical rocket equation states:
         dv  = Ve * ln((final mass) / (initial mass))

Reference:
         http://www.ksc.nasa.gov/facts/faq04.txt

The derivation is straightforward:
         1) Eject a small amount of exhaust
         2) Do the elementary kinematics
         3) Iterate, adding up the results.

For a multi-stage rocket, do each stage separately.

At 07:28 PM 12/1/99 -0600, Greg Kifer wrote:
>I remember, but don't know from where, hearing that a rocket can go no
>faster forward than the exhaust gases leave the exhaust nozzle.  Is this
>correct?  If so, can someone explain the whys and wherefores to a simple
>high school teacher like me.