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 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 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 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 a downward force of thrust that was less 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 determine how the spacecraft left the surface of the earth, we need to understand the concept of thrust and gravity.
Thrust is the force produced by the motors of the spacecraft. In this case, the motors produced 7 million pounds of thrust.
Gravity is the force exerted by the earth's mass on objects near its surface. It pulls objects towards the center of the earth, and on the surface, it is typically measured as 32 feet per second squared (32 ft/s^2).
If the spacecraft were to apply a force of thrust that is equal to the force of gravity, these forces would be balanced, and the spacecraft would not move vertically. It would remain on the surface of the earth.
If the spacecraft were to apply an upward force of thrust that is equal to the force of gravity, the forces would be balanced once again. However, in this case, the spacecraft would be able to counteract the force of gravity and start moving vertically upwards.
If the spacecraft were to apply an upward force of thrust that is greater than the force of gravity, the upward force of thrust would be able to overcome gravity. This means that the spacecraft would be able to lift off from the surface of the earth and move vertically upwards.
Based on this understanding, the correct statement would be:
"The spacecraft applied an upward force of thrust that was greater than the downward force of gravity."