Question

when a rocket launches, the hot gases expelled from its engine exert a force on the ground, what is the reaction

Answer 1

According to Newton's third law of motion, for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. When a rocket launches, the hot gases expelled from its engine exert a force downward on the ground. The reaction to this action is that the ground (or more accurately, the Earth) exerts an equal and opposite force upward on the rocket. This upward force is what propels the rocket into the sky. In summary:

- **Action**: Hot gases are expelled downward from the rocket engine.
- **Reaction**: The ground exerts an upward force on the rocket.

This interaction is what allows the rocket to lift off and overcome gravity.