Final answer:
The rate of change of the spaceship's mass (dm/dt) is positive because it accumulates interplanetary dust while stationary in space. so, option b is the correct answer.
Step-by-step explanation:
If a spaceship is stationary in interplanetary space and encounters stationary interplanetary dust, its mass increases as it collects dust. Therefore, the rate of change of mass with respect to time, denoted as dm/dt, would be positive because additional mass (interplanetary dust) is being accumulated over time. It is worth noting that this change in mass is not constant, as it depends on the density of the dust encountered and the speed at which the spaceship is moving through the dust.
The rate of increase in mass of a spaceship, dm/dt, depends on the direction of the interplanetary dust. If the dust is moving towards the spaceship, the mass increases at a positive rate. If the dust is moving away from the spaceship, the mass increases at a negative rate. If the dust is stationary, the mass of the spaceship remains constant.
The rate at which the mass of a spaceship increases, dm/dt, depends on the direction of the interplanetary dust. If the dust is moving towards the spaceship, the mass increases at a positive rate. If the dust is moving away from the spaceship, the mass increases at a negative rate. If the dust is stationary, the mass of the spaceship remains constant, so dm/dt is zero.