...... you realize each gas molecule functions as an extremely small bowling ball, right? If you understood thrust and Newton’s 3rd law adequately as it applies to rockets, we wouldn’t be having this discussion.

Mass flow rate is a function of mass and velocity, you try to maximize velocity so you can minimize mass (and therefore you don’t have to carry as much fuel). Ion drives work on a similar principle by using even higher velocities and much lower amounts of mass (though they produce much less thrust, so they are designed to only be used in a vacuum where drag is a non-issue)

The work is done on the gas, the expansion of it is only used for getting a high mass flow rate, the expansion itself isn’t doing the work of moving a rocket.