The shuttle has a separate fuel tank containing liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen. Why are hydrogen and oxygen transported as liquids rather than as gases???
2007-02-11 05:54:40 · 3 answers · asked by TheKingOfKnowledge 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Other - Science
Bulk. As gas, the oxygen and hydrogen would take far more volume, requiring a much larger and heavier tank. The pressure of compressed gas is also higher than that of cryogenically chilled liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen, meaning that the tank would have to be built stronger (heavier) still; much more than the weight of the insulation needed to keep liquid in their liquid state.
2007-02-11 06:03:13 · answer #1 · answered by Vincent G 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Boyle's Law:
P1V1=P2V2 (P=pressure, V=volume)
To carry the amount of fuel needed for take-off in gas form rather than as a liquid, the shuttle tanks would have to be roughly the size of Omaha. Each.
2007-02-11 16:09:34 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are looking for the max combustible fuel and the liquids are that.
2007-02-11 14:51:03 · answer #3 · answered by JOHNNIE B 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋