Compared to a chemical rocket, an ion engine has a
A) smaller thrust but can be operated for a longer time period
B) smaller thrust and can only be operated for a shorter time period
C) larger thrust and can be operated for a longer time period
D) larger thrust but can only be operated for a shorter time period

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

An ion engine has a smaller thrust compared to a chemical rocket, but it can be operated for a longer time period. This is because ion engines use electric power to accelerate ions to generate thrust, whereas chemical rockets require the combustion of propellants to generate thrust. Because of this, ion engines have a much higher specific impulse (i.e. fuel efficiency) than chemical rockets, allowing them to operate for longer periods of time.

Compared to a Chemical Rocket, an Ion Engine Has a