Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Thrust Force
Thrust force is the force exerted by a rocket's engines to propel it forward. It is generated by expelling mass in the opposite direction, according to Newton's third law of motion. In the context of the question, the thrust force varies over time, as shown in the provided graph, which affects the rocket's acceleration and ultimately its maximum speed.
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Acceleration
Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity of an object. In this scenario, the rocket's acceleration can be determined using Newton's second law, F = ma, where F is the net force acting on the rocket and m is its mass. The thrust force influences the rocket's acceleration, and as long as the thrust is applied, the rocket will continue to accelerate until the thrust decreases or stops.
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Kinematics
Kinematics is the branch of mechanics that describes the motion of objects without considering the forces that cause the motion. In this problem, kinematic equations can be used to calculate the rocket's maximum speed after the thrust is applied for a certain duration. By integrating the acceleration over time, one can determine the change in velocity and find the maximum speed reached by the rocket.
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