Question

A rocket has been fired upwards to launch a satellite in its orbit. Name the two forces acting on the rocket immediately after leaving the launching pad.

Answer 1

Force on the rocket after launching

1. Rocket is an example of a variable mass system. When a rocket launches, a gravitational for exerted on it due to its mass.
2. Due to fuel thrust, an upward reaction force will be exerted on the rocket, as we know from Newton's third law that every reaction there has an equal and opposite reaction.
3. Due to the surrounding molecules, a frictional force will be active on the rocket.

Diagram

Therefore, gravitational force and upward force due to fuel thrust are the forces acting on the rocket immediately after leaving the launching pad.