Question

when a rocket travels through deep space, newtons third law of motion can be used to predict its motion.
force of rocket on exhaust gases
force of exhaust gases on rocket
which of the following supports the evidence of newtons third law as shown?
a action and reaction forces occur at different times.
b the force of the exhaust gases on the rocket is larger than the force of the rocket on the exhaust gases.
c the force of the exhaust gases on the rocket is equal to the force of the rocket on the exhaust gases.
d the force of the exhaust gases on the rocket is less than the force of the rocket on the exhaust gases.

Explanation:

Newton's third law states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. The action - reaction forces act on different objects, are equal in magnitude, and opposite in direction, and occur simultaneously.

• Option A is incorrect because action and reaction forces occur at the same time.
• Option B is incorrect as the magnitudes of the action and reaction forces are equal.
• Option D is incorrect for the same reason as option B; the forces should be equal in magnitude.
• Option C correctly states that the force of the exhaust gases on the rocket (reaction force) is equal to the force of the rocket on the exhaust gases (action force), which is in line with Newton's third law.

Answer:

C. The force of the exhaust gases on the rocket is equal to the force of the rocket on the exhaust gases.