Question

A rocket is launched straight up from the surface of the Earth. Consider the time interval after the fuel runs out, while the rocket is moving away from earth. During this process, a. kinetic energy increases and potential energy increases b. kinetic energy increases and potential energy decreases c. kinetic energy decreases and potential energy increases d. kinetic energy decreases and potential energy decreases

Answer 1

c. kinetic energy decreases and potential energy increases

Step-by-step explanation:

Once the fuel burns out, the velocity of the rocket decreases which means that the kinetic energy decreases. As there is no external force acting, mechanical energy remains conserved. The potential energy increases. The decrease in the kinetic energy is equal to the increase in potential energy.

Thus, option c is correct.