Final answer:
The initial acceleration of a large rocket with a takeoff mass of 2.16 × 10^6 kg and a thrust of 3.63 × 10^7 N is calculated using Newton's second law of motion, resulting in an acceleration of 16.8 m/s². The correct answer is C) 16.8 m/s².
Step-by-step explanation:
The subject of this question is Physics, and it is appropriate for the High School level. To find the initial acceleration of a large rocket during takeoff, we can use Newton's second law of motion, which states that the force acting on an object is equal to the mass of the object multiplied by its acceleration (F = ma).
In this case, the force is the thrust produced by the rocket's engines, and the mass is that of the rocket at takeoff. We are given that the thrust (F) is 3.63 × 10^7 N and the mass (m) is 2.16 × 10^6 kg. By rearranging the formula to solve for acceleration (a), we get a = F / m.
Therefore, the initial acceleration (a) is:
a = 3.63 × 10^7 N / 2.16 × 10^6 kg = 16.8 m/s²
This means the correct answer is C) 16.8 m/s².