Mercury has been discussed as a potential propellant for spacecraft due to its high density, which facilitates easier storage during long voyages. While it has properties that allow it to be ionized and used in ion drives, it is not classified as a fuel since it requires an external energy source for vaporization and acceleration. Historical context reveals that while the Russians experimented with mercury, the Americans preferred Xenon and Cesium for ion propulsion systems. The distinction between propellant and fuel is crucial, as propellants provide thrust through mass flow and exhaust velocity, whereas fuels supply energy.
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I think one means 'propellant' as opposed to 'fuel'. Propellant is the working fluid which provides thrust by virtue of mass flow rate and exhaust velocity, as apposed to fuel which provide energy. In some cases decomposition of a monopropellant or a bipropellant (fuel/oxidizer), the fuel is part of the working fluid.timejim said:Does Mercury have properties that would permit its' use as a Fuel to power Spacecraft? Has this been done before or experimented with? If it is heated to its' vaporization point, what happens? I know it is highly poisonous but I have heard that it has a potential for use as "a" fuel.