Question

On May 16, 2011, the space shuttle Endeavour launched for the last time. The total mass of the entire

spacecraft includes the Endeavour shuttle, its external rockets, its fuel tank, and its fuel. The total mass of
the entire spacecraft changed as fuel was used. The model below shows the predicted mass m, in
thousands of kilograms, of the entire spacecraft t seconds after the launch.
m = 2,050 - 9.75t, Osts 120
According to the given model, what was the predicted mass, in thousands of kilograms, of the entire
spacecraft 60 seconds after launch?

Answer 1

Using the provided model m = 2,050 - 9.75t, the predicted mass of the space shuttle Endeavour 60 seconds after launch is calculated to be 1,465 thousands of kilograms.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student is asking about the predicted mass of the space shuttle Endeavour 60 seconds after launch based on the provided model. To calculate this, we use the formula m = 2,050 - 9.75t, where m is the mass in thousands of kilograms and t is the time in seconds. By substituting t = 60 into the formula, we can determine the mass of the entire spacecraft at that point in time.

Step 1: Substitute t = 60 into the model: m = 2,050 - 9.75(60).

Step 2: Calculate the value: m = 2,050 - 585.

Step 3: Perform the subtraction: m = 1,465.

Thus, the predicted mass of the entire spacecraft 60 seconds after launch is 1,465 thousands of kilograms.