2006-06-14 13:20:07 · 10 answers · asked by Rachel Maria 6 in Social Science ➔ Anthropology
They are actually vapor trails. Condensation forms when an engine burns fuel (look at a car exhaust and you will see water drip off the tail pipe. The jet is flying in sub-zero tempuratures so this vapor freezes and literally makes long clouds.
2006-06-14 13:26:22 · answer #1 · answered by Newt 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
it is when the air flows off the top and bottom of the wing at the tips
if conditions are right this causes larger drops off water just like a cloud
the wings make long clouds as they cut through the air
On rare occasions, when the air is nearly saturated with water vapour, air circulation at the wing tips of an airplane may cause sufficient pressure and temperature reductions to cause cloud streamers to form.
Condensation Trail, or Contrail, streamer of cloud sometimes observed behind an airplane flying in clear, cold, humid air. It forms upon condensation of the water vapour produced by the combustion of fuel in the airplane engines. When the ambient relative humidity is high, the resulting ice-crystal plume may last for several hours. The trail may be distorted by the winds, and sometimes it spreads outwards to form a layer of cirrus cloud.
2006-06-14 20:27:58 · answer #2 · answered by benji 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When the humidity and temperature are just right a jet leaves a "con" trail from each engine.
A CONdensation trail is a trail of condensed droplets left behind by a jet.The water vapor in a con trail is a product of combustion.
2006-06-14 20:23:36 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's not smoke, it's water vapour (steam basically) that has condensed out of the cold air as it passes through the hot aeroplane engines. The streaks are known as condensation trails, or more popularly as contrails.
2006-06-19 07:03:10 · answer #4 · answered by Kango Man 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jamaica Airlines
2006-06-14 20:42:35 · answer #5 · answered by Lãzý Šmû®ƒ 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is freezing water vapour from the exhaust and why do you ask a question like that on Anthropology???? Jules, lecturer. Australia.
2006-06-15 11:13:17 · answer #6 · answered by Jules G 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they leave water vapor behind, and this vapor condenses, and freezes, depending on the altitude, leaving behind clouds.
2006-06-14 20:23:55 · answer #7 · answered by mystic juniper 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
depends on how many engines the plane has.
2006-06-14 20:24:51 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Must not be a non-smoking flight.
2006-06-14 20:25:09 · answer #9 · answered by cavers1616 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
when i was little i was told they were angel crossings angels would sit on them and guard us and keep us safe,
2006-06-15 23:35:19 · answer #10 · answered by takers dreamcatcher 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋