The spacecraft shown below weighs 6.1 million pounds. The rocket produces 7.5 million pounds of thrust.
Force of spacecraft's: upwards
thrust Force of gravity: downwards
When the spacecraft falls back to earth, a parachute helps it fall safely. Explain the forces acting during this landing. (1 point)
A. The parachute's downward force resists gravity's downward force.
B. The parachute's upward force resists gravity's upward force.
C. The parachute's downward force resists gravity's upward force.
D. The parachute's upward force resists gravity's downward force.
D. The parachute's upward force resists gravity's downward force.
A. The parachute's downward force resists gravity's downward force.
During the spacecraft's landing with the help of a parachute, there are two main forces at play: the force exerted by the parachute and the force of gravity.
The force of gravity pulls the spacecraft downward towards the Earth. This force is always directed towards the center of the Earth and is responsible for making objects fall downwards.
The parachute, on the other hand, exerts a force in the opposite direction, resisting the force of gravity. The main purpose of the parachute is to create air resistance, which counters the gravitational force acting on the spacecraft. This air resistance slows down the spacecraft's descent and ultimately allows it to land more gently and safely.
So, in this scenario, the parachute's downward force actually resists gravity's downward force. Based on the given options, the correct answer is A. The parachute's downward force resists gravity's downward force.