Newton’s third law and propulsion principles MCQs – Aerospace

1. What does Newton’s Third Law state regarding propulsion?
(A) A force is required to change the motion of an object
(B) Every action has an equal and opposite reaction
(C) The acceleration of an object depends on its mass and force applied
(D) Motion is independent of external forces

2. How does Newton’s Third Law apply to jet propulsion?
(A) A jet moves forward because air is pulled in from the front
(B) The expulsion of exhaust gases backward generates an equal and opposite thrust forward
(C) Jet engines create thrust by heating the surrounding air
(D) Newton’s Third Law does not apply to jet propulsion

3. What is the fundamental principle of rocket propulsion according to Newton’s Third Law?
(A) A rocket moves due to air resistance
(B) Propellant is burned to increase mass
(C) Expelling propellant creates an equal and opposite reaction, generating thrust
(D) Gravity pulls the rocket upwards

4. How does the principle of action and reaction explain the thrust in a rocket engine?
(A) The rocket engine pulls in air to push itself forward
(B) Gases are expelled backward, creating an equal and opposite forward thrust
(C) The motion of the rocket depends on gravitational force alone
(D) The reaction force acts in the same direction as the expelled gases

5. What role does Newton’s Third Law play in the operation of a jet engine?
(A) It explains that the expulsion of gases backward generates forward thrust
(B) It states that a jet engine operates in a vacuum
(C) It describes how gravity affects jet engine thrust
(D) It limits the speed at which a jet engine can operate

6. How is the concept of action and reaction utilized in jet propulsion systems?
(A) Air is pulled in to create thrust
(B) Air or exhaust gases are accelerated backward to generate forward thrust
(C) Jet propulsion operates without Newton’s Third Law
(D) Only the intake of air affects jet propulsion

7. What is the role of the nozzle in converting action to propulsion in a jet engine?
(A) The nozzle increases fuel efficiency
(B) The nozzle accelerates exhaust gases to convert action into reaction (thrust)
(C) The nozzle reduces engine temperature
(D) The nozzle has no effect on propulsion

8. How does Newton’s Third Law relate to the concept of thrust in a turbofan engine?
(A) The fan creates a vacuum that pulls the aircraft forward
(B) The action of air moving through the engine results in an equal and opposite thrust force
(C) The mass of the aircraft determines the thrust force
(D) Turbofan engines do not follow Newton’s Third Law

9. What is the effect of nozzle design on propulsion according to Newton’s Third Law?
(A) Nozzle design has no effect on propulsion
(B) It affects the efficiency of converting expelled gases into thrust by controlling their velocity and direction
(C) It determines the weight of the engine
(D) It only affects the temperature of the engine

10. How does Newton’s Third Law apply to the operation of a turboprop engine?
(A) The propeller generates thrust by accelerating air backward, resulting in an equal and opposite forward thrust
(B) A turboprop engine operates without Newton’s Third Law
(C) The reaction force is weaker than the action force
(D) Thrust is generated by pulling air into the engine