We jump by pushing down the earth. In the empty space, what does the rockets push against?
2006-09-06 15:18:34 · 13 answers · asked by Asadu 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
they have small jets on the top, bottom, & sides of the shuttle that direct it. Same with the rocket modules. Not the Rocket's themselves but the pod's that the astronaughts ride in.
And the rocket isn't pushing against anything. PER SAY. The rocket fuel that is combusting is pushing against the inside of the rocket and therfore pushing the rocket in the opposite direction of the exit hole. It's a jet reaction. Simple physics.
2006-09-06 15:22:29 · answer #1 · answered by USMCstingray 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The rocket pushes against the burning rocket fuel. By Newton's Third Law the gas pushes back.
2006-09-06 22:58:30 · answer #2 · answered by Demiurge42 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's not about pushing against something, as someone above said, it's about conservation of momentum.
Propulsion systems used in outer space work by emitting particles at very high speed in the opposite direction to the intended direction of travel. The momentum these particles have is 'balanced out' by causing the spaceship or whatever to go in the other direction.
And remember, a force only needs to be applied to accelerate something, to change the direction of something, or to overcome and opposing force. An object travelling in space, in a total vacuum, with no forces applied to it, will continue to travel in the same direction at the same speed.
2006-09-06 22:25:56 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The thrust from maneuvering rockets DOES have something to push against -- the mass of the space vehicle.
2006-09-07 14:38:12 · answer #4 · answered by r_moulton76 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Newton's action/reaction - as the fuel and oxidizer burn the gases produced expand against the sides of the rocket's nozzle. This pushes the nozzle in one direction and the gases in another. As they both have a mass and there are forces acting, the nozzle moves in the opposite direction of the exhaust.
2006-09-06 22:27:37 · answer #5 · answered by Steve 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Space is not a perfect vaccum so there is always something for the rockets to push against.
2006-09-06 22:20:46 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The rocket exhaust is pushing against the walls of its own nozzle!
In doing so, it sends the rocket one way and the exhaust the other way via conservation of linear momentum.
2006-09-07 00:35:42 · answer #7 · answered by zamir 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they don't push against anything.
Newton says, action is equal to reaction. If you throw something away from you, and you're free to move, then you'll move back. Normally you don't feel this because you're heavy, you're throwing something light, and you stand firmly on the ground.
But a rocket is not standing on any ground ie free to move. And to change direction it ejects a very fast flow of gases.
2006-09-07 04:36:04 · answer #8 · answered by AntoineBachmann 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cripes, do they not teach you Newton's Laws at school - its the most basic science.
Action and reaction are equal and opposite.
Fire a gun and you get pushed backwards with the recoil. In space the reaction will be greater because there is no air resistance or friction.
2006-09-06 23:05:26 · answer #9 · answered by nick s 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Other than buster rockets which have already been well explained here. Rockets also can use the gravity of other planets to pull them towards them.
2006-09-06 22:35:47 · answer #10 · answered by dam 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋