Chapter 3, Problem 16STP

To determine

The reason for increase in the acceleration of the rocket due to burning of the fuel in engine.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

The launch of the rocket is based on the principle of Newton’s third law and Newton’s second law.

Newton’s second law states that the change in the momentum of the object is same as the external force on the object.

Newton’s third law states that equal and opposite force acts due to another force.

When the fuel in the rocket engine burns, the mass of fuel decreases and the speed of the rocket increases. The mass of fuel and speed of the rocket describes the momentum of the rocket. The momentum of the rocket changes due to burning of fuel. The change in the momentum of the object exerts a force on the rocket. The external force due to burning of fuel exerts an equal amount of force to accelerate the rocket.

Conclusion:

Thus, the shuttle’s acceleration increases due to burning of fuel because the force generates due to change in the momentum of the rocket by burning of fuel.