Question

As a rocket is launched, the net force on it stays constant even though the mass decreases (in the form of rocket fuel being consumed). By using Newton's second law of motion, explain what happens to the acceleration and why.

Answer 1

Answer:

 'acceleration will increase.'

Explanation:

We know that force on the rocket is given as follows

$F=m\dfrac{dv}{dt}$

m=mass

v=velocity

t=time

F=force

$F=m\dfrac{dv}{dt}$

F= m a

a=acceleration

$a=\dfrac{F}{m}$

If the mass m decreases then the acceleration of the rocket will increase.

Therefore we can say that if the mass m decreases then the acceleration a will increases to maintain the constant force F.

The answer will be  'acceleration will increase.'