Explain why a rocket can accelerate even in outer space, where there is no air against which it can push.
2007-02-19 19:05:53 · 4 answers · asked by clara y 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
It is not pushing against air! The rocket is accelerating because of the reaction from the gases that are being released at the bottom. So, as long as the fuel lasts, the rocket can accelerate and later on move with a constant velocity.
2007-02-19 19:14:40 · answer #1 · answered by Swamy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's the shape of the combustion chambers and the outlet nozzles.
The configuration is somewhat 'keyhole' shaped so that, as the combustion gases expand in the rounded combustion chamber , some of the force is exerted against the upper rounded end and as the gases pass into the widening exhaust nozzle they exert force against the sides of the nozzle and give a forward thrust.
It's difficult to describe without a diagram.
2007-02-20 06:53:23 · answer #2 · answered by Norrie 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because force is everywhere. air resistance is only one of the many forces. Imagine you're on earth, you are launched up into the sky and while you are airborne, you throw a ball forward. The ball will certainly be launched forward because you applied a force to it. The counter force is the small air resistance here, but even without it, the ball will launch from you. Inertia is also always there even without air resistance.
2007-02-20 03:13:03 · answer #3 · answered by Heell yeaah! 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Check my source..explains in newton's third law.
2007-02-20 03:11:46 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋