The acceleration of a rocket increases as it travels upward from the ground mainly because
A)gravity becomes weaker with increased distance.
B)the applied force on the rocket increases as fuel is burned.
C)the mass of the rocket decreases as fuel is burned.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

As a rocket burns its fuel, the mass of the rocket decreases. According to Newton's second law of motion, acceleration is directly proportional to the net force acting on an object and inversely proportional to its mass. Therefore, as the rocket's mass decreases while the force from its engines remains relatively constant, its acceleration increases.

The Acceleration of a Rocket Increases as It Travels Upward