Question

Two rockets with identical 50,000 N engines are launched. Rocket A is lighter because it has less payload than Rocket B. Which rocket will accelerate faster and reach a speed of 100 m/s first?</p><p></p>(1 point)

Rocket B will reach 100 m/s first because its heavier weight provides more downward push.

Both rockets will reach 100 m/s at the same time since their engines have equal thrust.

Neither rocket can reach 100 m/s because their thrust is not enough to overcome gravity.

Rocket A will reach 100 m/s first because it has less mass, resulting in greater acceleration.

Answer 1

Rocket A will reach 100 m/s first because it has less mass. With the same thrust, acceleration is a = F/m - g (or more simply a ~ F/m for comparison), so a smaller m gives a larger acceleration.