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How is it possible for a rocket to propel itself through space?
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
This is possible via the conservation of momentum. A rocket ejects matter from its back and this matter carries momentum. To conserve momentum the rocket must gain an equal amount of momentum in the opposite direction. Since momentum is related to velocity this causes the rocket to move. This is basically an application of Newton's third law.
You might have been confused with the situation in air. For example an airplane moves through air by pushing air past it (using its propeller). This accelerates the air, and thus increases its momentum. The airplane must therefore gain momentum in the opposite direction, and accelerates itself as well.
The only difference between the airplane and the rocket is that the rocket carries the stuff it accelerates (and ejects) while the airplane can use the air that is already present all around it.
Note that while this is the basic explanation, the situation with the rocket is made somewhat more complicated by the fact that as the rocket loses fuel it also loses momentum because momentum is velocity times mass and the lost fuel lowers the mass of the rocket. You might want to look up Tsiolkovsky's rocket equation if you want more information.
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
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How does a rocket propel?
The gases in the fuel chamber of the rocket combust and push on the inside of the rocket, propeling it forward or upward. This is because in space there is nothing for a rocket to push of off, except itself.
What kind of fuel used to propel a rocket in to space?
Um, Rocket Fuel. It is a mixture of liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen
How is space travel possible?
Modern day rocket has allowed for the design of vehicles that generate enough thrust to propel a person into space as well as life support system for a given period of time.
What is the difference in propultion between an airplane a spacecraft?
A spacecraft need a rocket engine (which is powered by on-board oxygen and fuel) to propel itself, an airplane only needs a jet engine (which only needs on-board fuel as it uses oxygen form the air).
Do rockets have wing?
A rocket is a form of propulsion. If a rocket is used to power an airplane, it is referred to as a rocket-plane, and has wings like an airplane. It the rocket is use to propel a vehicle vertically, which does not need wicgs to provide lift, it is called simply a rocket. Sometimes fins are used to stabilize or guide a rocket in flight, but these are referred to as fins rather than wings.
What is pojectile in physics?
A projectile is any moving object which does not propel itself. For example a rocket burns fuel to propel itself through the sky whilst a shell fired from a cannon has no way to propel itself.
How does a rocket propel?
The gases in the fuel chamber of the rocket combust and push on the inside of the rocket, propeling it forward or upward. This is because in space there is nothing for a rocket to push of off, except itself.
How did Apollo 9 reach its required speed?
the rocket it was attached had enough thrust to propel the combined weights of the spacecraft and the rocket itself to over 17,500 mph.
Action-reaction engines that propel an object forward?
a rocket
What is the name of action reaction engines that propel an object forward?
rocket
What did they use Rocket arrows for?
To propel there arrows father and with more force.
What is a rocket toy name?
A popular rocket toy name is the "Stomp Rocket." It is a toy rocket launcher that uses air pressure to propel foam rockets into the air when stomped on.
What kind of fuel used to propel a rocket in to space?
Um, Rocket Fuel. It is a mixture of liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen
What is a sentence using the word propel?
This experiment will demonstrate the use of magnets to propel our model rocket across the parking lot. I hope that my repairs to the propeller will successfully propel us across the lake to safety.
How is space travel possible?
Modern day rocket has allowed for the design of vehicles that generate enough thrust to propel a person into space as well as life support system for a given period of time.
What chemical do rockets use to fly?
What kind of rocket? A rocket you could make would use mainly compressed air A NASA rocket, would use a LOT of gasoline to propel it into the air.
Applications of rocket engine?
Mostly to propel rockets, those going into space, and those carrying explosives.
