Science Common Sense

581 - How do rockets work to get us into space?

Rockets work by using a lot of energy to blast off the ground and reach space. Here's how:

1. Fuel: Rockets have two main parts: fuel (usually liquid or solid) and an oxidizer (like oxygen). When these mix, they create a hot gas that can produce a lot of energy.
2. Combustion: The fuel and oxidizer are combined in a special chamber, where they burn (or combust). This creates hot gas that expands rapidly.
3. Thrust: The hot gas is released out of a nozzle at the back of the rocket, which creates a powerful force called thrust. This thrust propels the rocket forward, away from the ground.
4. Stages: Most rockets have multiple stages, which separate as the rocket gains speed. Each stage ignites and then separates, allowing the next stage to take over and push the rocket even higher.
5. Escape Velocity: The rocket keeps accelerating until it reaches a speed called escape velocity (about 25,000 mph for Earth). At this point, it can break free from the Earth's gravity and reach orbit or even travel to other planets.

That's the basic principle of how rockets work to get us into space!