Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Rocket thrust refers to the force that propels a rocket forward. It is generated by the expulsion of high-speed exhaust gases from the rocket's engines.
This law states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. In the case of rocket thrust, as gases are expelled backward, an equal and opposite force propels the rocket forward.
Thrust-to-weight ratio: This ratio compares the amount of thrust produced by a rocket to its weight. A higher thrust-to-weight ratio allows rockets to accelerate more quickly.
Specific impulse: Specific impulse measures how efficiently a rocket engine uses fuel. It is defined as the change in momentum per unit mass of propellant consumed.