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Science · Motion · GUIDED SAMPLE

Why a rocket moves upward

Follow the interaction between a rocket and its exhaust, and distinguish an action–reaction pair from forces on one object.

4-minute sample · No account needed

What you’ll understand

  • The rocket pushes exhaust gas downward; the gas pushes the rocket upward.
  • Action and reaction forces act on different objects.
  • Upward acceleration requires an upward resultant force on the rocket.

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THE CONCEPT LABGUIDED SAMPLE
ThrustWeightGas moves down · rocket is pushed up

“Why does a rocket move upward?”

Forces come in pairs.

  1. 1The rocket pushes hot gases downward.
NOW, OVER TO YOU

The action and reaction forces act on…