Is the launching of a rocket an example of Newton's third law?

Answer 1

When ever a matter interacts with another matter, there are pairs of forces and Newton' third law applies.

The rocket motion is an example where both the interacting matters are in motion.

A book resting on a table is similarly an example where there is no motion.

When we walk we are in motion. This is an example where one object is in motion and the other (ground's motion is practically zero.)

Answer 2

"For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction"

I would have to think that the anwswer is no.

If you push on a wall, it pushes you back. This is newton's third law.

But the rocket is not pushing on the earth, and the earth is not pushing back on the rocket. It still thrusts onward, even after it's off the ground.

The earth's gravity is not pulling equally and opposite either. The whole point of a rocket is to attain escape velocity, and the rocket engines can continue to thrust even when the rocket is outside a gravitational field.

A car's tires on the road are an example of newton's third law. Without the road putting an equal and opposite push on the tires, the car would not move. But a rocket can move in a vacuum of space, or in full atmosphere, in mid air, or whatever.

However, it wouldn't surprise me if a physics book tried to say that a rocket is an example of the third law in some esoteric way.

Answer 3

There are examples of Newton's 3rd in various parts of the rocket, but the principle that makes it go is conservation of momentum.

Answer 4

I think it is. I'm not entirely sure though. i only learnt this a couple weeks ago but i've got bad memory :P