Scientists launch a rocket, and they monitor its acceleration and the force exerted by its engines. As the rocket gets higher, the monitors show that the acceleration of the rocket is increasing but the force exerted stays the same. How do Newton’s laws explain why the scientists could expect this to happen?
Answer
A
The reaction force is increasing as fuel is burned, which causes a greater acceleration.
B
The inertia of the rocket increases, which reduces the force needed to change its speed.
C
The mass of the rocket decreases as fuel is burned, so the acceleration increases.
D
The total force stays the same, but the action force is increasing as the reaction decreases.
Explanation
Newton’s second law states that acceleration equals net force divided by mass: a = F/m. If the engines exert the same force while the rocket burns fuel, the rocket’s mass decreases, so that force produces greater acceleration. Choice D correctly describes this; the other choices do not explain increasing acceleration with an unchanged force.
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