How does Newton's Third Law relate to rocketry?

Newton's Third Law of Motion states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. This principle directly relates to rocketry through the mechanism of thrust generation. When a rocket motor expels exhaust gases downwards at high speed (the action), an equal and opposite force is generated that pushes the rocket upwards (the reaction).

In the correct choice, the assertion that the rocket motor pushes the rocket in the opposite direction of the exhaust jet clearly illustrates this relationship. As the rocket expels the combustion gases out of the nozzle, the rocket itself is propelled upward, demonstrating the practical application of Newton's Third Law in rocket flight. The thrust produced by the motor acts in the opposite direction of the flow of exhaust, allowing the rocket to ascend against gravitational pull.

Other choices relate to different aspects of rocketry but do not address Newton's Third Law directly. Mentioning the combustion of fuel focuses on the process of creating thrust but does not explain how the thrust leads to the motion of the rocket in accordance with Newton's laws. The influence of gravity on thrust is less about the law itself and more about external conditions affecting the rocket's performance. Lastly, stating that a rocket's stability is based on its weight touches on stability principles but sidesteps