The picture below shows the Apollo spacecraft that took astronauts to the moon. The spacecraft weighed about 5 million pounds, with motors that produced 7 million pounds of thrust. Which statement explains how the spacecraft left the surface of the earth? (1 point) Responses The spacecraft applied an upward force of thrust that was greater than the downward force of gravity. The spacecraft applied an upward force of thrust that was greater than the downward force of gravity. The spacecraft applied an upward force of thrust that was equal to the downward force of gravity. The spacecraft applied an upward force of thrust that was equal to the downward force of gravity. The spacecraft applied a downward force of thrust that was less than the downward force of gravity. The spacecraft applied a downward force of thrust that was less than the downward force of gravity. The spacecraft applied a downward force of thrust that was equal to the downward force of gravity. The spacecraft applied a downward force of thrust that was equal to the downward force of gravity.

The correct statement is: The spacecraft applied an upward force of thrust that was greater than the downward force of gravity.

The spacecraft applied an upward force of thrust that was greater than the downward force of gravity.

The correct statement is: "The spacecraft applied an upward force of thrust that was greater than the downward force of gravity."

To understand why this is the correct answer, we need to consider Newton's third law of motion, which states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. In this case, the upward force of thrust generated by the spacecraft's motors is the action, and the downward force of gravity is the reaction.

To leave the surface of the Earth, the spacecraft needs to overcome the force of gravity, which pulls objects towards the center of the Earth. The spacecraft achieves this by applying a greater upward force of thrust that is greater than the downward force of gravity. By doing so, the spacecraft is able to lift off and overcome the gravitational force, allowing it to travel into space.

In this scenario, the spacecraft's motors produce 7 million pounds of thrust, which is greater than the force of gravity acting on the spacecraft, which is approximately 5 million pounds. This difference in forces allows the spacecraft to leave the surface of the Earth and embark on its journey to the moon.