Question

Mr. Foster and his students have launched a small rocket. The rocket has just started moving upward due to the thrust force generated by its engine and fuel. Which free-body diagram best represents the forces acting on the rocket?

Answer 1

Draw the rocket as a dot or box with two vertical arrows:
- A large upward arrow labeled "Thrust (T)"
- A downward arrow labeled "Weight (mg)"

The upward arrow should be longer than the downward one to show T > mg (so the net force is upward and the rocket accelerates upward). (Air resistance is negligible just as it starts, otherwise add a small downward drag arrow.)