A 1000-kg helicopter hovers over a forest fire and starts to squirt water downward with a speed of 10 m/s at a rate of 40 kg/s. What is the initial upward acceleration on the helicopter when it first starts to release the water? A) 2.5 m/s² B) 0.40 m/s² C) 0.25 m/s² D) 4.0 m/s² E) 5.0 m/s²

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The force exerted by the water is equal to the rate of change of momentum, which is 40 kg/s * 10 m/s = 400 N. The upward acceleration is then 400 N / 1000 kg = 0.40 m/s².

A 1000-Kg Helicopter Hovers Over a Forest Fire and Starts