Immediately after take-off from the surface of the Earth, a rocket of mass 12 000 kg accelerates vertically upwards at 1.4 m s² - AQA - A-Level Physics - Question 22 - 2018 - Paper 1

The net force (F_net) required for the rocket to accelerate can be calculated using Newton's second law:

$F_{net} = ma$

Where:

• $m = 12,000 \, kg$
• $a = 1.4 \, m/s^2$ (upward acceleration)

Thus:

$F_{net} = 12,000 \times 1.4 = 16,800 \, N$

The total thrust (T) produced by the rocket motor must overcome both the weight and provide the necessary net force for acceleration. Therefore, it can be calculated as follows:

$T = W + F_{net}$

Substituting the values obtained:

$T = 117,720 + 16,800 = 134,520 \, N$

This can also be expressed in scientific notation as:

$T = 1.3 \times 10^5 \, N$

Based on the calculated thrust of $1.3 \times 10^5 \, N$, the correct answer is C.