Two rockets are being tested. Both rockets have the same mass. One rocket accelerates at a higher rate tharn another rocket. What could be

Question

true about the difference between the rockets?
One rocket has more fuel than the other
One rocket is more streamlined than the other
One rocket engine produces more force than the other
One rocket is more badly designed than the other

Answer 1

In the context of the two rockets being compared, the statement that is most likely true regarding the difference between them is:

One rocket engine produces more force than the other.

This is because acceleration is directly related to the net force acting on an object and inversely related to its mass, as described by Newton's second law of motion (F = ma). Since both rockets have the same mass, a higher acceleration in one rocket suggests that its engine must produce a greater force.

While the other statements might hold some relevance, they are not definitive in explaining the difference in acceleration as clearly as the force produced by the engines:

• One rocket has more fuel than the other: This doesn't necessarily affect acceleration unless it impacts the thrust.
• One rocket is more streamlined than the other: This could affect drag and efficiency but doesn't directly correlate with the force produced.
• One rocket is more badly designed than the other: This is vague and subjective and doesn't directly explain the difference in acceleration.

Therefore, the most precise answer in this context is the difference in the force produced by their engines.