A rocket works on the principle of conservation of which physical quantity?

Solution

1. A rocket functions by ejecting mass in the form of high-velocity exhaust gases in one direction.
2. According to Newton's third law, this action produces an equal and opposite reaction force on the rocket.
3. In an isolated system, the total momentum remains constant, meaning the momentum gained by the rocket equals the momentum lost by the exhaust gases.
4. This process is a direct application of the law of conservation of linear momentum.
5. Hence the answer is (C).