The correct answer is D. Conservation of energy.
The conservation of energy states that energy can neither be created nor destroyed, only transferred from one form to another. In the case of a rocket, the chemical energy stored in the fuel is converted into kinetic energy as the rocket moves through the air. The rocket’s exhaust gases are ejected at high speed, and this momentum is transferred to the rocket, causing it to accelerate.
The conservation of mass states that mass can neither be created nor destroyed, only transferred from one form to another. However, this principle does not apply to the motion of a rocket, because the rocket loses mass as it burns fuel. This lost mass is converted into energy, which is used to accelerate the rocket.
The conservation of charge states that charge can neither be created nor destroyed, only transferred from one object to another. This principle does not apply to the motion of a rocket, because the rocket does not carry any charge.
The conservation of momentum states that the total momentum of a system remains constant, unless an external force acts on the system. In the case of a rocket, the total momentum of the system is the sum of the momentum of the rocket and the momentum of the exhaust gases. The rocket’s momentum increases as it accelerates, and this is balanced by a decrease in the momentum of the exhaust gases.