Which forces are present during a rocket's ascent and will negatively affect the altitude that the rocket achieves?

During a rocket's ascent, several forces interact and influence its performance. Gravity and drag are two primary forces that counteract the rocket's ascent.

Gravity acts as a constant force pulling the rocket back toward the Earth. This force is significant throughout the flight and becomes a major factor in determining how high the rocket can go. The strength of gravity is relatively constant, and it directly opposes the force generated by the rocket's engines, making it essential to consider when analyzing a rocket's altitude.

Drag, or aerodynamic resistance, occurs as the rocket ascends through the atmosphere. It results from the friction between the rocket’s surface and the air. This resistance increases with the rocket's speed and can significantly lower its altitude by requiring more thrust to overcome this resistance. As drag increases, the efficiency of the rocket's engines is further challenged, which can lead to reduced velocity and, consequently, less altitude achieved.

In contrast, inertia and momentum, while relevant to the rocket's motion, do not negatively affect altitude in the same manner that gravity and drag do. Thrust and lift also play a role in a rocket's ascent, but they primarily contribute to elevating the rocket instead of hindering its ability to reach altitude. Ultimately, understanding the opposing forces of