Consider an ion rocket with a $600-$volt drop in potential between the accelerating

electrodes placed $60$ centimeters apart. Xenon of atomic weight $54$ is the propellant.

The charge$-$to$-$mass ratio is $7\mathrm{.}34$ x $105$ coulombs per kilogram. One volt equals one

newton$-$meter per coulomb. The cross$-$sectional area is $100$ cm $2.$ in $0=8\mathrm{.}85$ x $10-12$

$($coulomb$)2/$newton$-$meter. Determine the

$($a$)$ exit velocity,

$($b$)$ specific impulse,

$($c$)$ maximum beam current,

$($d$)$ thrust at maximum beam current, and

$($e$)$ mass flow at maximum beam current.

$($f$)$ What are the thrust and the mass flow if the rocket operates on one$-$half of the

maximum current?