A rocket obeys the principles of recoil. However, it is much more difficult to apply Newton's second law to a rocket because
A. there is actually sideways momentum, because a rocket motor is just a well-controlled explosion.
B. the rocket pushes against air but the air is a fluid.
C. Newton's three laws do not apply in outer space.
D. as the rocket motor fires the total mass of the rocket changes.
Answer: D
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