physics of rockets

Rockets operate based on Newton’s Third Law: for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. When a rocket's engines burn fuel, they produce high-speed exhaust gases expelled downward. This downward push creates an opposite force that propels the rocket upward. The rocket moves forward as long as the engines generate enough thrust to overcome gravity and air resistance. The fuel's mass and its rapid expulsion are critical for generating the necessary force. This simple principle allows rockets to travel through Earth's atmosphere and into space, where they rely on momentum and further fuel burns to reach their destinations.