Exams › JEE Main › Physics

A satellite moving through a region of free space collects interplanetary dust that is initially at rest. If the dust is gathered at the rate dM/dt = αv, then the satellite’s acceleration is

1. -2αv²/M
2. -αv²/M
3. -αv²/2M
4. -αv²

Correct answer: -αv²/M

Solution

The correct option is right because the satellite's acceleration is derived from the change in momentum due to the mass being collected at a rate proportional to its velocity. As the satellite gathers mass, the force exerted by the collected dust results in a negative acceleration, which is accurately represented by the equation -αv²/M, where M is the mass of the satellite.

Related JEE Main Physics questions

• A block of mass m lies at rest on a frictionless horizontal floor. A uniform rope of mass m/3 has one end attached to the block, and the free end is pulled horizontally by a force F. What is the tension at the midpoint of the rope?
• A block of mass m is attached to a second block of mass M by a light spring of spring constant k. Both blocks lie on a frictionless horizontal surface. At the beginning, the system is at rest and the spring is at its natural length. A constant force F is then applied to the block of mass M to pull it. Determine the force exerted by the block of mass m.
• A thin ring of mass M and radius R is spinning about its symmetry axis with angular speed ω. Two identical small masses, each of mass m, are then lightly fixed at the two opposite ends of a diameter of the ring. The decrease in kinetic energy is
• A sphere rolls on a surface without slipping. Its radius of gyration about an axis through its centre of mass is K, and its radius is R. What fraction of the total kinetic energy is due to rotation?
• A uniform circular ring has mass M and radius R. If a 90° arc of the ring is cut away, the moment of inertia of the remaining portion about an axis through the centre of the ring and perpendicular to its plane becomes kMR². What is the value of k?
• A uniform rod of length l can rotate freely in a vertical plane about a fixed horizontal axis passing through O. Starting from rest in its unstable equilibrium position, the rod turns through an angle θ. Its angular speed ω is expressed by

⚔️ Practice JEE Main Physics free + battle 1v1 →