Question

Consider the voyage to the Moon that you studied in Chapter 3. Would it make any difference, even a very tiny difference, whether the spacecraft is long or short, if the mass is the same? Explain briefly.

Short answer

A tiny difference will be there if the spacecraft’s trajectory is not linear. Apart from that, the spacecraft’s mass will be the difference creator.

Step-by-step solution

Significance of the moment of inertia

The moment of inertia is described as the tendency of an object to stay in motion. It is mainly described as a scalar quantity.

Determination of the difference

The spacecraft will have higher moment of inertia if it is longer in length. According to the principle of energy, if the spacecraft rotates in a particular direction, then it will have a greater number of kinetic rotational energy. The spacecraft will also require more amount of force as the fuel consumption is also higher if the spacecraft’s trajectory is not linear.

If the spacecraft’s trajectory is linear, then mainly the spacecraft’s mass is being considered as the length does not play any role.

Thus, a tiny difference will be there if the spacecraft’s trajectory is not linear. Apart from that, the spacecraft’s mass will be the difference creator.