Lightning vs Hydrogen Fuel for Space Travel

AI Thread Summary
Hydrogen fuel is used in space travel by burning it to propel spacecraft, adhering to Newton's third law of motion. A lightning bolt generates approximately five billion joules of energy, which is significantly less than the energy output of traditional rocket engines like the Saturn V. The discussion raises concerns about the safety hazards of using lightning as a propulsion method, as it does not provide significant directional thrust. Suggestions of using a Tesla coil for storing lightning energy are met with skepticism, highlighting the impracticality of the concept. Overall, the thread concludes that the idea lacks scientific validity and coherence.
HawkI
Messages
39
Reaction score
0
In space Hydrogen fuel is burned and propels the spaceship forward in the direction it's facing.

Newton's third law of motion states that for every reaction there is an equal and opposite reaction.

A lightning bolt makes around Five Billion Joules of energy.

I can't find specific numbers for Hydrogen fuel burning right now but I think it would be less.

Apart from the safety hazard to other rockets, satellites and earth, what do you think?
 
Science news on Phys.org
I would store the lightning bolt in a Graphene Tesla Coil. Not sure how I would sort out the Directional Thrust though?
 
It seems more like you are throwing buzz words around. How is Newton third law related to the lightning bolt?
And what do you want to compare? Burning enough hydrogen you can always get more energy than the one allegedly contained in a lighting bolt. Or in anything else.
You store the lighting bolt in a Tesla Coil?
 
A lightning bolt makes around Five Billion Joules of energy.

Google suggests that the Saturn 5 engines delivered around 180 million horsepower = about 135 Billion Joules per second.

PS: If you want to make some sort of Electric powered Saturn 5 you will need a big "battery".
 
nasu said:
You store the lighting bolt in a Tesla Coil?

That's where I checked out, yeah. Just the term "Tesla Coil" itself is usually a red flag. Plus graphene? And then storing something in it? Yeaaaahhhh...
 
I may have figured out how to get some directional thrust going, you get a second Tesla Coil and cross the beams!
 
Exactly what sort of "beam" do you think a Tesla coil makes?
 
CWatters said:
Exactly what sort of "beam" do you think a Tesla coil makes?
Shades of Ghostbusters here. DO NOT CROSS THE BEAMS!
 
  • #10
Nonsense thread is closed.
 

Similar threads

Can Electron Rockets Revolutionize Interstellar Travel?
Replies
5
Views
2K
Why can't a rocket continue to travel without fuel?
Replies
11
Views
2K
Rocket expelling fuel velocity relative to earth
Replies
3
Views
2K
A Exploring Rocket Exhaust Plume Molecules in the Upper Atmosphere
Replies
2
Views
3K
Question about Newton third law and NASA article
Replies
3
Views
2K
Opening a portal to the center of the Sun
Replies
14
Views
4K
Newton's 3rd law & rocket propulsion (detailed explanation)
Replies
18
Views
4K
B How do rockets propel themselves up?
Replies
13
Views
4K
Expelled rocket fuel pushing against something the rocket is attached to?
Replies
7
Views
4K
How Much Fuel Must a Rocket Burn to Double Its Exhaust Speed?
Replies
3
Views
6K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top