B Action and reaction of a rocket in space.

AI Thread Summary
The propulsion of a rocket in space is explained through the conservation of momentum and Newton's Third Law of Motion, which states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. When a rocket ejects gas, the force generated acts on the rocket itself, propelling it forward. The combustion process inside the engine creates high-speed gas, and the design of the rocket directs this gas in a specific direction, preventing it from expanding outward indiscriminately. The discussion emphasizes the importance of understanding the forces at play during the ejection of gas to grasp how rockets achieve thrust. Overall, the mechanics of action and reaction are crucial for rocket propulsion in the vacuum of space.
Clara Chung
Messages
300
Reaction score
13
By conversation of momentum, the rocket can be propelled forward by ejecting mass like gas.
However, how is the propelling force explained in terms of action and reaction? If gas is ejected, what does the force act on?
 
Astronomy news on Phys.org
Clara Chung said:
If gas is ejected, what does the force act on?
The rocket.
 
Clara Chung said:
By conversation of momentum, the rocket can be propelled forward by ejecting mass like gas. However, how is the propelling force explained in terms of action and reaction?
Conversation of momentum is ensured by Newton's 3rd Law (action and reaction).
 
Clara Chung said:
If gas is ejected, what does the force act on?

Russ already answered this, but think for a moment. What's acting on the gas to eject it? Where's that force coming from? If the combustion process inside the engine creates a high speed gas, what forces it to go one way instead of expanding outwards in all directions?
 

Thread 'Potential biosignature found in Mars rock'

Publication: Redox-driven mineral and organic associations in Jezero Crater, Mars Article: NASA Says Mars Rover Discovered Potential Biosignature Last Year Press conference The ~100 authors don't find a good way this could have formed without life, but also can't rule it out. Now that they have shared their findings with the larger community someone else might find an explanation - or maybe it was actually made by life.
View full post »

Thread 'Does it make sense to build new radio telescopes?'

TL;DR Summary: In 3 years, the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) telescope (or rather, a system of telescopes) should be put into operation. In case of failure to detect alien signals, it will further expand the radius of the so-called silence (or rather, radio silence) of the Universe. Is there any sense in this or is blissful ignorance better? In 3 years, the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) telescope (or rather, a system of telescopes) should be put into operation. In case of failure to detect...
View full post »
Thread 'Could gamma-ray bursts have an intragalactic origin?'

Thread 'Could gamma-ray bursts have an intragalactic origin?'

This is indirectly evidenced by a map of the distribution of gamma-ray bursts in the night sky, made in the form of an elongated globe. And also the weakening of gamma radiation by the disk and the center of the Milky Way, which leads to anisotropy in the possibilities of observing gamma-ray bursts. My line of reasoning is as follows: 1. Gamma radiation should be absorbed to some extent by dust and other components of the interstellar medium. As a result, with an extragalactic origin, fewer...
View full post »

Similar threads

B Propellantless Rocket: Unleashing the Power of Breit-Wheeler
Replies
19
Views
2K
I Meaning of the terms in the formula of the net external force
Replies
17
Views
2K
I Is there a way to calculate how rocket exhaust gas spreads out in empty space after leaving the rocket?
Replies
3
Views
879
B Are frictional forces action forces or reaction forces?
Replies
14
Views
1K
I Newton's Third Law: Action & Reaction Along the Line Connecting Two Objects
Replies
5
Views
1K
Optimal Size of Rocket Engine Nozzle for Vacuum Performance
Replies
26
Views
3K
How Does Rocket Ejection Mass Affect Its Velocity in Space?
Replies
1
Views
2K
B Question about Action-Reaction Forces
Replies
8
Views
2K
B General Relativity: Action & Reaction in Gravitation
Replies
15
Views
2K
Is Newton's third law applicable everywhere?
Replies
6
Views
5K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top