An unfueled 1000-kg experimental rocket sled on level frictionless rails is loaded with 50 kg of propellant. It exhausts the propellant in a 20 s "burn." If the rocket, initially at rest, moves at 160 m/s after the burn, what impulse is experienced by the rocket sled? A) 1.1 * 10⁵kg·m/s B) 1.6 * 10⁵ kg·m/s C) 1.5 *10⁵ kg·m/s D) 1.9 *10⁵ kg·m/s

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The impulse experienced by the rocket sled is equal to the change in momentum. The total mass after the burn is 1000 kg (sled) + 50 kg (propellant) = 1050 kg. The change in velocity is 160 m/s. Impulse = mass × change in velocity = 1050 kg × 160 m/s = 1.68 × 10^5 kg·m/s, which is closest to option B.

An Unfueled 1000-Kg Experimental Rocket Sled on Level Frictionless Rails