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Chemistry behind rockets (Liquid propellant rockets (Cons (Very Expensive,…
Chemistry behind rockets
Hybrid propellant rockets
Same fuel as the solid propellant inside combustion chamber
liquid oxidizer is stored in separate tank
Simplest hybrid system is to have oxidizer under pressure in tank
When valve is opened the oxidizer is released into combustion chamber they react, causing the rocket to fly
Cons
Issue with refueling
Ratio of catalyst can affect ratio of propulsion
Pros
More efficient than solid fuel, equal efficiency as a liquid
Simple, moderate cost, safer than a liquid engine
Safety precautions
Need to be stored safely to prevent the following
Fire
Chemical Damage
Uses
Space exploration (mid range)
Used by SpaceX for Falcon Heavy
Liquid propellant rockets
Use liquid fuel such as kerosene and a liquid oxydiser (LOX)
Stored in separate tanks and then pumped into chamber
rapidly mix together and react to create combustion
hydrogen and oxygen pumped into three main engines
then they are sprayed into combustion chamber and react with oxygen to form gaseous water
Pros
Can sometimes be throtted
Can be shut down
Efficient
Cons
Very Expensive
Very complicated
Requires a lot of intricate machinery
Has to deal with fluid flow
A fuel used is Liquid Hydrogen
LOH
Safety
Failiure points that can be triggered via mismanagement of fuel
Uses both main booster and small control
Uses
Both in missiles and for space exploration (space shuttle)
Solid propellant rockets
fuel and oxidizer mixed together and create propellant
The solid is known as propellant grain which leads to a combustion reaction
Combustion reaction propels rocket
Chemical reaction depends on type of fuel chosen and surface area of grain
Rocket has two solid boosters
Pros
Fairly Simple
lots of thrust
Fairly Cheap
Fuel is storable
Reliable Output
Long shelf life
Cons
Cannot be shut down
Fuel Could ignite if not properly stored
Cannot be throtted
Very inefficient
Not used in space as they aren't controllable
Mainly a Launch Vehicle
Usually used in missiles, rarely used in space
Uses
Booster
A Fuel Used Here is Ammonium Perchlorate
NH4ClO4,
Safety Precautions
Need to properly store the fuel so there is little risk of the following:
Space accidents (Challenger)
Fire
Chemical Damage to surrounding ecosystems
Background Info
Rocket propulsion follow Newtons Third Law
This states that for every reaction there is an equal or opposite reaction
Combustion is the chemical reaction used to launch rockets
Combustion releases energy which creates a propellant
Combustion usually between fuel and oxydiser
The rockets push out exhaust at high speed and rocket is thrust forward
Gases such as liquid hydrogen are used for the propellant
There are three types of major rockets
Examples of Reactions That Can Be Used as Propellant
Coca Cola and Mentos
Potassium Nitrate and Table Sugar: 2 KNO3(s) + CH2O(s) → 2 KNO2(s) + CO2(g) + H2O(g)
Baking Soda and Vinegar CH3COOH + NaHCO3 = CH3COONa + CO2 + H2O.:
Liquid Hydrogen and Liquid Oxygen
Ion Propellant rockets
Accelerates positive ions with electricity
ionizes neutral gases by extracting atoms out of gases
Rely on electrostatics as ions are accelerated along electric field
Electrons are finally reinjected
Pros
Restartable
Easily controllable
Cons
Complex and expensive
Involve in space booster
Uses
Space exploration (deep and close space)