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

The correct answer highlights two key forces essential for a rocket's ascent: thrust and momentum. Thrust is the force generated by the rocket's engines, propelling it upward and countering the forces of gravity and drag that work against its ascent. The greater the thrust, the higher the rocket can ascend, as it provides the necessary energy to overcome gravitational pull.

Momentum, while technically a property of motion rather than a force, plays a vital role in the rocket's ability to maintain its flight path after the initial thrust is applied. As the rocket accelerates, it gains momentum, allowing it to continue ascending even as external forces like gravity attempt to pull it down.

Thus, thrust provides the energy needed to launch the rocket upward, while momentum helps maintain that upward motion after the initial push. This combination of forces is crucial for achieving higher altitudes during ascent.

The other options do not adequately describe the primary forces needed for ascent. Gravity and drag, for instance, work to slow the rocket down rather than contribute to increasing altitude. Inertia, while relevant to an object's resistance to changes in motion, does not actively contribute to ascent in the way thrust does. Lift primarily pertains to aircraft, not rockets which rely on thrust to ascend.