Suppose the mass of a fully loaded module in which astronauts take off from the

Question

Suppose the mass of a fully loaded module in which astronauts take off from the Moon is 11,800 kg. The thrust of its engines is 31,500 N. (Assume that the gravitational acceleration on the Moon is 1.67 m/s2.)

(a) Calculate its magnitude of acceleration in a vertical takeoff from the Moon.
m/s2

b) Could it lift off from Earth? If not, why not?

No, the thrust of the module's engines is less than its weight on Earth.

Yes, the thrust of the module's engines is greater than its weight on Earth.

Yes, the thrust of the module's engines is equal to its weight on Earth.

No, the thrust of the module's engines is equal to its weight on Earth.

(c)If it could, calculate the magnitude of its acceleration. (If not, enter NONE.)
m/s2

Explanation / Answer

a) Since the module is accelerating as its moves upward, the net force is equal to the thrust minus the weight of the module.

Weight = 11,800 * 1.67 = 19706 N
Net force = 31500 – 19706 = 11794 N
To determine its acceleration, divide the net force by its mass.

a = 11794/11800 = 0.9995 m/s^2

b) No, the thrust of the module's engines is less than its weight on Earth.

c) None

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