If the rocket continues to travel away from the Earth at a constant rate, at what level of the atmosphere will the rocket be located after one minute?

A. Exosphere
B. Mesosphere
C. Stratosphere
D. Thermosphere

\begin{tabular}{|c|c|}
\hline
Stratosphere & 12-50 km \\
\hline
Mesosphere & 50-80 km \\
\hline
Thermosphere & 50-440 km \\
\hline
Exosphere & >440 km \\
\hline
\end{tabular}



Answer :

To determine the level of the atmosphere where the rocket will be after one minute, let's break down the problem step-by-step.

1. Time Conversion: Understand that the given time is one minute. Converting this into seconds, since there are 60 seconds in a minute:
[tex]\[ \text{Time} = 1 \, \text{minute} \times 60 \, \text{seconds/minute} = 60 \, \text{seconds} \][/tex]

2. Rocket Speed: Assume a typical speed of a rocket shortly after launch, which is 7.8 km/s.

3. Distance Calculation: Calculate the distance traveled by the rocket in those 60 seconds.
[tex]\[ \text{Distance} = \text{Speed} \times \text{Time} = 7.8 \, \text{km/s} \times 60\, \text{seconds} = 468 \, \text{km} \][/tex]

4. Determine the Atmospheric Level: Based on the given altitude ranges in the table, check where 468 km falls:
[tex]\[ \begin{array}{|c|c|} \text{Stratosphere} & 12-50 \, \text{km} \\ \hline \text{Mesosphere} & 50-80 \, \text{km} \\ \hline \text{Thermosphere} & 50-440 \, \text{km} \\ \hline \text{Exosphere} & > 440 \, \text{km} \\ \hline \end{array} \][/tex]

The calculated distance of 468 km exceeds 440 km. Therefore, the rocket is in the Exosphere.

So, the correct answer is:

A. Exosphere