Which expression represents the basic thrust equation cited?

• A. Thrust = Force * Acceleration
• B. Thrust = Velocity * Acceleration
• C. Thrust = Mass * Acceleration
• D. Thrust = Mass * Velocity

Answer: (C)

Thrust is a force, so it follows F = m a. This means the thrust produced by a body is the mass of that body multiplied by its acceleration. In simple terms, a greater mass or a greater acceleration yields more force.

Looking at the options, only mass times acceleration gives a quantity with the units of force (kilograms times meters per second squared equals Newtons). The other products don’t match force: velocity times acceleration has units of inertia-like m^2/s^3, not force; force times acceleration would have odd units (N·m/s^2); and mass times velocity gives momentum, not thrust.

So the expression that correctly represents thrust in this basic sense is mass times acceleration.