2007-02-06 11:26:57 · 16 answers · asked by Todd 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Aircraft
It's jet farts.
2007-02-06 11:30:46 · answer #1 · answered by vnlathndr775 4 · 1⤊ 4⤋
It's water vapor, and it isn't due to anything freezing because of the cold! It's all about pressure differences.
It's formed in much the same way as fog is formed. As the aircraft moves through the air, low pressure areas are briefly create. The air around us contains water (hence the humidity), and that water is pulled out of the air into the same state as steam from a boiling kettle, which looks like white smoke: if you look a a boiling kettle, just above the spout you can't see anything for maybe an inch, and then above that the steam forms: steam is visible (it's lots of tiny water droplets), evaporated water isn't (it's a gas).
The same thing happens when we breathe out on a cold day: our breath is moist, the air is cold and dry, so some of the water in our breath is sucked from it's transparent gaseous stage into the visible watery droplets stage.
The best known examples of the white smoke stage would be clouds!
2007-02-14 16:07:43 · answer #2 · answered by Malcolm W 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is the exaust that is coming out of the jet engines. And, you know when you start a car on a cold morning right? Well the same thing is happening up there because the air is a lot colder up in the sky then it is down here.
2007-02-07 16:41:47 · answer #3 · answered by sam 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
They're generally contrails, which are caused by water condensing in the wake turbulence. However, under certain conditions (sun behind you, very clear sky) the smoke behind some airplanes occasionally looks white.
2007-02-06 21:08:40 · answer #4 · answered by John 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
wow. i see this question ALOT. it is called contrails or condesation trails. water vapor from exhaust condenses in the freezing temperatures at high altitude. it will usually happen at 30 000 feet and above. it is there becauses thats how the world works. no specific reason. dont let people tell you that its exhaust fumes. it comes from exhaust but is not exhaust.
2007-02-06 22:26:04 · answer #5 · answered by cparkmi331 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I too see this question alot and to answer it. they are called contrailsor condensation trails, it is a result of the hot exhaust of the aircraft meeting the cold air at 30,000 feet or so... the same principle for cold weather and "seeing" your breath or an automobile's exhaust
2007-02-07 19:06:27 · answer #6 · answered by mcdonaldcj 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Exhaust and its white because the heat reacting with the cool air makes the trails.
2007-02-06 20:07:39 · answer #7 · answered by Leon 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It's called a contrail and it's caused by condensation freezing and forming ice crystals when it is introduced to a freezing environment.
2007-02-06 19:34:53 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
Contrails.
2007-02-06 21:31:45 · answer #9 · answered by carledwards99andtonystewart20fan 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Its ice produced by engine exhaust
2007-02-06 22:20:13 · answer #10 · answered by James R 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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oh wait theres more
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condensation and vapour from engines and wings where wing ice heaters are defrosting the wing tips
2007-02-13 21:35:15 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋