2007-04-11 22:54:31 · 8 answers · asked by bquest 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Aircraft
It's called a contrail also known as a condensation trail.
When the exhaust from the engine enters the high altitude air it releases microscopic particles. These particles give water vapor in the air a place to condense on.
These contrails are basically man made clouds.
You can do an experiment that demonstrates this by taking a plastic soda bottle, add a little water (like a cup or two) shake it to get the water vapor in the air, then add smoke, this will act as the condensation nuclei. Close the bottle and squeeze it. You will see a cloud appear in the bottle. Squeezing the bottle changes the pressure so that when you stop squeezing it simulates high altitude just like those contrails high up in the sky.
This is also why you don't see contrails when planes are at lower altitudes.
In conclusion... high altitude + condensation nuclei(exhaust) = man made clouds.
2007-04-12 02:42:13 · answer #1 · answered by Ryan D 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Its not smoke, its condensation known as a vapour trail. It forms when the hot gases leaving the engine, which includes water, freezes when it contacts the cold high alitude air. It will only occur in air colder than -40 degrees celcius.
The water from the engine forms from the reaction between the fuel (which contains Hydrogen and Carbon) and the Oxygen in the air. The Carbon and Oxygen react to form Carbon Dioxide and the Hydrogen and Oxygen react to form water. Typically for every gallon of fuel burnt, one gallon of water is produced.
2007-04-11 23:03:45 · answer #2 · answered by Darkrider 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well think about it the plane high up in the sky. It is really cold and the engines are gibing off tons of heat. It is water vapors. Like a hot steam.
2007-04-11 23:00:21 · answer #3 · answered by camarocoupe 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
its contrails -water vapours, as stated above. long trails of smoke are to be seen when a f-4 Phantom or mig-29 is pulling g's or during missed approach. that's smoke..
2007-04-12 07:18:14 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
its a contrail and it freezes. the water vapor freezes because the temp is cold at fl 350
2007-04-12 11:36:39 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's not smoke its Water vapor.
2007-04-11 22:59:00 · answer #6 · answered by gearnofear 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
That is not smoke, it is a contrail.
2007-04-12 01:01:59 · answer #7 · answered by IFlyGuy 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
... Because they just do.
2007-04-11 23:06:04 · answer #8 · answered by Mark 1 · 0⤊ 5⤋