con-trails (condensation trails)
2006-11-03 17:34:10 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Aircraft
Because the exhaust coming out of the engines is mostly heated water, and the air is very cold up there in the atmosphere. The water freezes, leaving icy trails that you can view from the ground.
2006-11-03 17:36:49 · answer #1 · answered by kc_warpaint 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The simple answer is ; a jet engine heats up the air flowing through it. Because it is then hotter than the ambient air, it condenses.
2006-11-03 20:27:47 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it is an artificial cloud created by an aircraft caused either by condensation due to the reduction in air pressure above the wing surface or by water vapor in the engine exhaust.
2006-11-04 03:28:16 · answer #3 · answered by mcmuffin 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The by product of the combustion of jet fuel is Carbon and Water. The water condeses rapidly in the affor mentioned cold air, immediately becoming visible.
2006-11-03 19:07:58 · answer #4 · answered by Paul S 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the air is sub zero at high altitude and the engine exhuast is extremely high so it causes condensation
2006-11-03 17:37:43 · answer #5 · answered by doug b 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋