Question

Using language from Newton's laws of motion, describe why the space shuttle seen in the picture is able to take off.

a) Newton's First Law: Inertia
b) Newton's Second Law: Force and Acceleration
c) Newton's Third Law: Action and Reaction
d) None of the above

Answer 1

The space shuttle is able to take off using language from Newton's third law of motion, which is the law of action and reaction.

Step-by-step explanation:

The space shuttle is able to take off using language from Newton's third law of motion, which is the law of action and reaction. According to this law, for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. In the case of the space shuttle, the action is the expulsion of gases from the engines at high velocity, and the reaction is the forward force propelling the shuttle upward. This is similar to how a rocket propels itself in space by expelling gas in the forward direction, creating a reaction force that pushes the rocket forward.