Comparing Rockets and Missiles - What's the Difference?

[theallknower]

what is the diference betwin a rocket and a misile?
from what I can tell,a rocket is something small,like a bazooka,or at most an anti-air rocket,and a misile is something huge,like a torpilo,or a nuke,or something really big,but I'm not shore,and there might be several "oficial" diferences...

 

[berkeman]

Not sure I agree with the definitions, but here's what Dictionary.com says. Looks like a rocket propels a missle...

rock⋅et1   /ˈrɒkɪt/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [rok-it] Show IPA Pronunciation

–noun 1. any of various simple or complex tubelike devices containing combustibles that on being ignited liberate gases whose action propels the tube through the air: used for pyrotechnic effect, signaling, carrying a lifeline, hurling explosives at an enemy, putting a space vehicle into orbit, etc.
2. a space capsule or vehicle put into orbit by such devices.
3. rocket engine.
–verb (used with object) 4. to move or transport by means of a rocket.
5. to attack with rockets.
–verb (used without object) 6. to move like a rocket.
7. (of game birds) to fly straight up rapidly when flushed.


Missile

A missile (see also pronunciation differences) is a self-propelled, explosive projectile used as a weapon towards a target.

Missiles are typically propelled by rockets, but other engines such as ramjet, turbojet and turbofan engines can also be used.

 

[chayced]

Missiles are used to strike objects. For example a tree flying in a hurricane is a missile hazard. Comes from the Latin Missilis, to throw or send.

Rockets involve some sort of mass shift for propulsion. Such as a water rocket where the water is pressurized then ejected out the bottom at high speeds to cause thrust, or the rockets on the space shuttle (solid or H2 O2) which use a chemical reaction to expel waste gasses at high speeds.

Rockets are missiles, but missiles are not necessarily rockets. Make sense?

 

[theallknower]

quoting chayced "–noun 1. any of various simple or complex tubelike devices containing combustibles that on being ignited liberate gases whose action propels the tube through the air" quote ended.

seems like the dictionary is rong:) it's action does nothing(or at least burn something)...it is it's reaction who propels the misile...

(sorry,but I can't quote what chayced quoted,so I did it manualy)

 

[theallknower]

Rockets are missiles, but missiles are not necessarily rockets. Make sense?

yes,it does,thanks...it's a good thing I pay atention on analitic maths class