Question

A particular aircraft has a mass of 1,800 kilograms, and has engines that provide 90,000 Newtons of thrust force. A second aircraft has a mass of only 1,500 kilograms, but has engines that provide exactly the same acceleration. What amount of thrust force do that aircraft's engines provide? You may use a calculator. Force \([\) Newtons \(]=\) mass \([\) kilograms \(] \times\) acceleration [meters/second \({ }^2\) ] A. 50 Newtons B. 60 Newtons C. 75,000 Newtons D. 108,000 Newtons

Short answer

The second aircraft's engines provide 75,000 Newtons of thrust force. The correct answer is C. 75,000 Newtons.

Step-by-step solution

Calculate the acceleration of the first aircraft

We are given the mass of the first aircraft (1800 kg) and the thrust force (90,000 N). We can use the formula F = m × a to find the acceleration (a): \(a = \frac{F}{m}\) For the first aircraft: \(a = \frac{90000\,\text{N}}{1800\,\text{kg}}\) Calculate the acceleration: \(a = 50\,\text{m/s}^2\)

Calculate the thrust force for the second aircraft

Now that we know the acceleration of both aircraft is 50 m/s², we can use the mass of the second aircraft (1500 kg) to calculate the thrust force required for the second aircraft. We will again use the formula F = m × a: For the second aircraft: F = 1500 kg × 50 m/s² Calculate the force: F = 75,000 N

Select the correct answer

According to our calculations, the amount of thrust force the second aircraft's engines provide is 75,000 Newtons, which corresponds to option C. So the correct answer is: C. 75,000 Newtons

Key concepts

Physics concepts for GED

When preparing for the GED, it's essential to have a solid understanding of basic physics concepts since they form part of the GED Science Test. These concepts include forces and motion, energy, waves, electricity, and magnetism, among others. In terms of forces and motion, one must understand how different forces affect objects and how those objects move as a result.

Considerations such as the relationship between mass and force, types of forces like gravity and friction, and the role of energy in causing movement are fundamental. Moreover, it’s important to master the use of relevant formulas, such as Force (F) equals mass (m) multiplied by acceleration (a), denoted as F = m × a. This formula is a direct application of Newton's second law of motion and is commonly used to solve problems related to forces exerted on objects. Strengthening these principles through practice problems, like the one involving the thrust force of aircraft, can provide students with a comfortable base for the science section of the GED.

GED science test section

The GED Science Test evaluates a candidate's ability to understand, interpret, and apply science information. It covers three major branches: Life Science, Physical Science (which includes physics), and Earth and Space Science. For students, it's crucial to develop the skills to analyze scientific readings, charts, tables, and graphs.

Physical Science questions often pertain to physics and chemistry, requiring an understanding of scientific concepts, procedures, and reasoning skills to apply scientific principles to real-world problems. These may include solving problems related to motion, forces, energy, electricity, and chemical reactions.

Students should aim to familiarize themselves with these scientific principles and develop their critical thinking skills to be able to make logical conclusions based on presented data. In addition, being comfortable with mathematical concepts and formulae is necessary as the test includes quantitative problems, like the thrust force calculation for different aircraft masses.

Newton's second law of motion

Newton's second law of motion is pivotal in understanding the dynamics of objects. It states that the force acting on an object is equal to the mass of the object multiplied by its acceleration, expressed as F = m × a. This principle reveals the relationship between an object’s mass, the acceleration it experiences, and the force applied.

In the context of the exercise involving aircraft and thrust force, Newton's second law allows us to calculate the unknown force by using the known mass and acceleration. If two objects experience the same acceleration, as in the given aircraft example, the one with less mass requires less force to achieve that acceleration.

Thus, learners should grasp that the larger the mass of an object, the greater the force needed to accelerate it. Understanding this law is essential not only for solving physics problems but also for appreciating the forces and motions that govern everyday phenomena.