The Basic Knowledge of Rocket Engines
Rockets can be complex and simple because you can make your own model rockets without spending too much money; and then they are very complex machines because only 3 countries and now India have been able to actually successfully launch a rocket into orbit. Normally, when most people think about motors and engines, they think about rotation. For example, an electric motor produces rotational energy to drive a fan or spin a disk, and so does a gasoline engine in a car as it also produces rotational spin to drive the wheels.
However, rocket engines are essentially different. They are reaction engines. The basic rule driving a rocket engine is the famous Newton’s principle that ‘to every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.’ A rocket engine is throwing mass in one direction and benefiting from the reaction that occurs in the other direction as a result.
However, rocket engines are essentially different. They are reaction engines. The basic rule driving a rocket engine is the famous Newton’s principle that ‘to every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.’ A rocket engine is throwing mass in one direction and benefiting from the reaction that occurs in the other direction as a result.
For Example:
If you have ever shot a shotgun or heard about them, you would know that it has a lot of ‘kick.’ That is, when the gun is shot it ‘kicks’ your shoulder back with a great deal of force. That kick is the reaction. As the shotgun is shooting, your shoulder gets hit by the reaction.
If you have seen a big fire hose spraying water, you may have noticed that it takes a lot of strength to hold the hose (sometimes you will see two or three fire-fighters holding the hose). The hose is acting like the rocket engine. The hose is throwing water in one direction, and the fire-fighters are using their strength and weight to counteract the reaction. If they were to let go of the hose, it would thrash around with tremendous force. If the fire-fighters were all standing on skateboards, the hose would propel them backwards at great speed.
If you have ever shot a shotgun or heard about them, you would know that it has a lot of ‘kick.’ That is, when the gun is shot it ‘kicks’ your shoulder back with a great deal of force. That kick is the reaction. As the shotgun is shooting, your shoulder gets hit by the reaction.
If you have seen a big fire hose spraying water, you may have noticed that it takes a lot of strength to hold the hose (sometimes you will see two or three fire-fighters holding the hose). The hose is acting like the rocket engine. The hose is throwing water in one direction, and the fire-fighters are using their strength and weight to counteract the reaction. If they were to let go of the hose, it would thrash around with tremendous force. If the fire-fighters were all standing on skateboards, the hose would propel them backwards at great speed.