The rocket equation relates the final velocity of a chemical rocket to
A) the mass of its payload
B) the velocity of its exhaust gases and the ratio of the mass of the rocket with all its fuel to the mass of the rocket after all its fuel has been consumed
C) the escape velocity of the Earth
D) the velocity of its exhaust gases and mass of the rocket before launch

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The rocket equation, also known as Tsiolkovsky's equation, relates the final velocity of a chemical rocket to the velocity of its exhaust gases and the ratio of the mass of the rocket with all its fuel to the mass of the rocket after all its fuel has been consumed. This equation is used to determine the amount of fuel needed for a rocket to achieve a certain velocity or to reach a certain destination. None of the other options are correct as they do not relate directly to the rocket's final velocity.

The Rocket Equation Relates the Final Velocity of a Chemical