Question 3 (1 point)
The picture below shows the Apollo spacecraft that took astronauts to the Moon in 1969. The spacecraft weighed 6.1 million pounds, and its motors produced 7.5 million pounds of thrust. Explain how the spacecraft left the surface of the earth.
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a
The spacecraft produced an upward force of thrust that was greater than the downward force of gravity.
b
The spacecraft produced a downward force of thrust that was less than the downward force of gravity.
c
The spacecraft produced a downward force of thrust that was equal to the downward force of gravity.
d
The spacecraft produced an upward force of thrust that was equal to the downward force of gravity.
The correct answer is:
a) The spacecraft produced an upward force of thrust that was greater than the downward force of gravity.
Explanation: In order for the spacecraft to leave the surface of the earth, it needs to overcome the force of gravity pulling it down. The motors on the spacecraft produced a thrust force that was greater than the force of gravity, resulting in the spacecraft being able to lift off from the surface of the earth.