Rockets work on the principle of conservation of ______.
Momentum
Momentum is correct.
A rocket expels hot exhaust gases backward at high speed. Since no external force acts on the rocket-gas system, its total momentum is conserved, so the rocket gains an equal momentum in the forward direction.
This is also an application of Newton's third law of motion: the backward push on the gases produces an equal and opposite forward thrust on the rocket.
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Which of the following is correct?
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