Solution

ID: past-exam-of-the-physics-1-paper-of-the-university-of-oxford/2017-resit/8/d/solution

The specified rocket fuel fraction gives , so . Imposing yields
Then fixes
Numerically,
The associated constant mass loss rate is . The initial upward thrust acceleration already exceeds and increases as mass falls, so the downward speed decreases monotonically to zero. This calculation assumes constant lunar gravitational acceleration, constant relative rocket exhaust speed, and negligible drag.

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