Asked by anonymous

what physical law/s were used during the "burns" of Apollo 13 to adjust its path/trajectory and get it home?

I know the thrusters used Newton's third law. What else?
Answered by Damon
action and reaction (force on exhaust equal and opposite to force on rocket.)

conservation of momentum
velocity of exhaust* mass of exhaust + velocity of vehicle * mass of vehicle after exhaust fired = original velocity of vehicle * original mass of vehicle

note velocity of exhaust negative as a rule

gravity G M Mearth/r^2 = Force on vehicle toward earth center
Answered by Damon
Note do not forget centripetal acceleration m v^2/r