Question

1. while launching, engineers notice that the saturn v from the last problem initially accelerates at the predicted speed above, but then gradually accelerates at higher and higher accelerations, even though the engines are burning with the same force. in one complete sentence, explain why this might be in terms that we have been using in class.

Explanation:

According to Newton's second law \( F = ma \) (force equals mass times acceleration), as the Saturn V burns fuel during launch, its mass \( m \) decreases while the engine force \( F \) remains constant; thus, the acceleration \( a=\frac{F}{m} \) must increase because a smaller mass divided by the same force results in a larger acceleration.

Answer:

As the Saturn V burns fuel, its mass decreases while the engine force remains constant; by Newton’s second law (\( F = ma \)), a smaller mass with the same force leads to greater acceleration.