Rocket fuel is Liquid oxygen but O2 doesn't burn, only supourts burning.
By SunnyBuddy
@SunnyBuddy (443)
India
June 9, 2008 12:01pm CST
Space shuttle fuel is liquid Oxygen but according to chemistry Oxygen doesn't burn only suppourts combustion then what drives it?
3 responses
@jwfarrimond (4473)
•
9 Jun 08
The fuel is the hydrogen (in the case of the shuttle) and the oxygen is the oxidiser which is as you say, necessary for combustion. Many other compounds can be used as oxidiser and fuel, though all the oxidisers contain oxygen in there molecule. Gunpowder when used as rocket fuel, is an example of this as well as the solid fuel used in the shuttle boosters.
1 person likes this
@dreadlord (31)
• Maldives
9 Jun 08
well space shuttles use oxygen hydrogen fuel cell.where water is produced as a product.Chemically this is electrolysis.Electrolysis is the decomposition of electrolytes.Electrolytes are molten or Aqeuos(mixed with water) substances which allow electricity to pass thorugh them.When oxygen and hydrogen along with a salt solution it produces energy
@dreadlord (31)
• Maldives
10 Jun 08
hehe.But that is according to my chemistry teacher.Thats what she told.
@ravi4ever (1)
• India
26 Jun 11
this question came in Staff Selection Commission (Combined Graduate Level) today i.e. 26th June, 2011.. I took my chance out of the 4 options thinking about the same doubt, Liquid Hydrogen I knew is the main component and fire need oxygen..
Just had my doubt but now I am sure that I have hit the correct option, thanks for the clarification..
@tarungoel11 (259)
• India
9 Jun 08
Space shuttle fuel consists of liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen kept in separate tanks and mixed in a controlled way to give out a burst of exhaust gases at a very high velocity which drives the rocket upward.
