2007-01-30 19:53:16 · 11 answers · asked by mrkevjon 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Aircraft
I assume you are asking about contrails.
Contrails are a result of condensation which results from combustion in the engine. They may or may not occur depending on the altitude and conditions. Generally higher altitudes and colder temperatures produce more obvious contrails.
Modern turbofan engines are more efficient and produce less heat, so they probably don't have near the condensation of older engines. That would mean shorter and less obvious contrails.
2007-01-30 19:57:55 · answer #1 · answered by Warren D 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
When a jet aircraft is cruising in the highest portion of it's journey it is exhausting very hot gases and water vapor into very cold air. Depending on the altitude the temperature of the air that the airliner is moving through may be 80 degrees below zero. The hot air and cold air take a while to mix and that's why it seems to stay around for a while. This contrail as it's called will be especially bright and obvious when the sun shines through it.
2007-01-31 15:27:02 · answer #2 · answered by ericbryce2 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The trail are the hot burnt gases exausted out of the engines. If the plane flys very high, for the air is cold, these trails appear.
2007-02-03 10:39:44 · answer #3 · answered by archeraarash 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The length of the contrails depends on the time it takes for the water vapor which they're made of to evaporate back into the atmosphere. This depends on the relative humidity and temperature of the air where the jet flew.
2007-01-31 04:08:10 · answer #4 · answered by John 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When the aircraft fuel is burnt, one of the by-products is water. Depending on the outside ambient temerature, this water will instantly freeze causing the vapour trail that is seen. As this water turns to ice, it becomes heavier that the air and begins to fall. As the air temperature warms up, the ice melts. I'm currently looking at a vapour trail that must be 20mls+ long. Sure is cold up there today.
2007-01-30 21:27:43 · answer #5 · answered by Shunter 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
depends on how cold the air is, the altitude, etc... the contrails are just like clouds. condensation of air after it passes through the engine.
2007-02-01 17:03:29 · answer #6 · answered by ME 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because the trail releases more water vapour than smoke and water vapour easily mixes with the air.
2007-02-01 20:59:42 · answer #7 · answered by vasanth 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe you are speaking about contrails which are fully described on this blog: http://privatejetcharter.spaces.live.com/
You have to scroll down about half way to see the piece, but it is very informative.
2007-01-31 00:50:12 · answer #8 · answered by PriJet 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
What those trails are is the water from a flushed toilet. The length of the tail depends on the length of the persons wee. If there is no tail, there is no one using the toilet
2007-01-30 20:00:58 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
Go do research on ---chemtrails--
the findings here may shock and alarm you !!
2007-01-30 20:01:08 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋