First Last - Homework 3

  • Use the Astropy units and constants packages to solve the following problems.
  • Do not hardcode any constants!
  • Unless asked, your units should be in the simplest SI units possible

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import numpy as np

from astropy import units as u
from astropy import constants as const
from astropy.units import imperial
imperial.enable()

Impulse is a change in momentum

$$ I = \Delta\ p\ =\ m\Delta v $$

Problem 1 - Calculate the $\Delta$v that would be the result of an impuse of 700 (N * s) for M = 338 kg.


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Problem 2 - Calculate the $\Delta$v that would be the result of an impuse of 700 (lbf * s) for M = 338 kg.


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This is the unit conversion error that doomed the Mars Climate Orbiter

The range of a projectile launched with a velocity (v) at and angle ($\theta$) is

$$R\ =\ {v^2 \over g}\ sin(2\theta)$$

Problem 3 - Find R for v = 123 mph and $\theta$ = 1000 arc minutes


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Problem 4 - How fast to you have to throw a football at 33.3 degrees so that is goes exactly 100 yards? Express your answer in mph


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Kepler's third law can be expressed as:

$$ T^2 = \left( {{4\pi^2} \over {GM}} \right)\ r^3 $$

Where T is the orbial period of an object at distance (r) around a central object of mass (M).

It assumes the mass of the orbiting object is small compared to the mass of the central object.

Problem 5 - Calculate the orbital period of HST. HST orbits 353 miles above the surface of the Earth. Expess your answer in minutes.


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Problem 6 - An exoplanet orbits the star Epsilon Tauri in 595 days at a distance of 1.93 AU. Calculate the mass of Epsilon Tauri in terms of solar masses.


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The velocity of an object in orbit is

$$ v=\sqrt{GM\over r} $$

Where the object is at a distance (r) around a central object of mass (M).

Problem 7 - Calculate the velocity of HST. Expess your answer in km/s and mph.


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Problem 8 - The Procliamer's song 500 miles has a duration of 3 minutes and 33 seconds. Calculate at what altitude, above the Earth's surface, you would have to orbit to go 1000 miles in this time. Express your answer in km and miles.


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The Power being received by a solar panel in space can be expressed as:

$$ I\ =\ {{L_{\odot}} \over {4 \pi d^2}}\ \varepsilon$$

Where I is the power per unit area at a distance (d) from the Sun, and $\varepsilon$ is the efficiency of the solar panel.

The solar panels that power spacecraft have an efficiency of about 40%.

Problem 9 - The New Horizons spacecraft requires 220 Watts of power.

Calculate the area of a solar panel that would be needed to power New Horizons at a distance of 1 AU from the Sun.


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Problem 10 - Same question as above but now a d = 30 AU.


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Problem 11 - The main part of the Oort cloud is thought to be at a distance of about 10,000 AU.

Calculate the size of the solar panel New Horizons would need to operate in the Oort cloud.

Express your answer in units of the area of an American football field (120 yd x 53.3 yd).


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Problem 12 - Calculate the maximum distance from the Sun can you be where a solar panel of 1 football field can power the New Horizons spacecraft. Express your answer in AU.


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Due Tue Oct 18 - 5pm

  • Make sure to change the filename to your name!
  • Make sure to change the Title to your name!
  • File -> Download as -> HTML (.html)
  • upload your .html and .ipynb file to the class Canvas page