Exciting Speed Calculation of a Fighter Jet!

How fast is the fighter jet traveling the instant after it launches the missile?

A fighter jet of mass 12,652 kg is carrying a single 190 kg missile and traveling at a speed of 365 m/s relative to the ground. The fighter jet launches the missile at a speed of 1,207 m/s relative to the ground.

Answer:

The fighter jet is traveling at a speed of approximately 368.2 m/s immediately after launching the missile.

The question asks for the speed of the fighter jet immediately after launching the missile. To find this, we can use the principle of conservation of momentum.

The momentum of an object is calculated by multiplying its mass by its velocity. Before the missile is launched, the momentum of the fighter jet is given by:

Momentum of the jet = mass of the jet × velocity of the jet

After the missile is launched, the momentum of the fighter jet is given by:

Momentum of the jet = (mass of the jet - mass of the missile) × velocity of the jet after the missile is launched

Since the momentum before and after the missile is launched is the same, we can set up an equation to solve for the velocity of the jet after the missile is launched.

Calculating this, we find that the velocity of the jet after the missile is launched is approximately 368.2 m/s. The fighter jet is traveling at a speed of approximately 368.2 m/s immediately after launching the missile.