2007-08-29 03:21:32 · 6 answers · asked by Dawg G 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
When the shuttle fires its throttle, it will emit exhaust gas. Newton's 3rd law states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. So the shuttle will be pushed off in the other direction.
2007-08-29 03:29:57 · answer #1 · answered by Forward 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Space is not a vacuum, though in spots it can be very close.
As for the pushing off, people seem to have the idea that shuttles, jets, etc fly by 'pushing off' of something. Maybe you've seen a video of a jet on an aircraft carrier and they put up a giant metal wall right behind the engine. This wall is to protect other crew on the aircraft carrier, and not to push off against.
As stated. Newton's third law states that for every force, there is an equal and opposite force. (people use the term 'reaction', which I find to be misleading) . So yea, when the engine ignites the fuel and expels it from the engine there is a ton of energy and force. So by physical law, the same force must be applied in the opposite direction, which causes the jet to take off.
I hope this helps!
2007-08-29 03:57:10 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is based on Newton's equal and opposite reaction. If you throw a baseball in space, you will be pushed backwards with the same force as the ball that was thrown, but you will move the other way. That is how a rocket works. A great deal of force is generated by the expanding, burning gases and they are forced away by a nozzle that points the burning flame away from the space ship. The spaceship moves the other direction.
2007-08-29 03:59:52 · answer #3 · answered by Owl Eye 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nothing. Rocket engines do not work by 'pushing off' of anything any more than jet engines do. Fuel is burned in a combustion chamber and forced out of one end. For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction, and pushing exhaust gases out of one one of the engine pushes the shutle in the opposite direction.
2007-08-29 03:30:08 · answer #4 · answered by Jason T 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's using Newton's 3rd law - action/reaction. It fires an engine, which produces so much thrust in one direction - pushing the shuttle in the exact opposite direction.
2007-08-29 03:54:47 · answer #5 · answered by quantumclaustrophobe 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Simply put:
The shuttle pushes against the gases it exhausts.
Action...reaction.
2007-08-29 06:28:22 · answer #6 · answered by Irv S 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋