Jet propulsion is spelled as /dʒɛt prəˈpʌlʃən/. The initial sound of the first syllable is the voiceless palatal stop, ‘j’ (/dʒ/). The second syllable has a short vowel ‘e’ (/ɛ/). The final consonant in the second syllable is the voiceless alveolar plosive, ‘t’ (/t/). The third syllable features a stressed vowel ‘o’ (/oʊ/). The fourth syllable has the voiceless postalveolar fricative ‘sh’ (/ʃ/) followed by a schwa sound ‘ə’ (/ən/). The word refers to a kind of propulsion that involves the ejection of a high-speed jet of exhaust gases from an engine.
Jet propulsion is a type of propulsion system that involves the generation and release of high-speed jets of fluid or gas to create and maintain motion. It is commonly used to describe the method by which aircraft and spacecraft achieve thrust and propulsion in order to overcome gravity and travel through the atmosphere or the vacuum of space.
In jet propulsion systems, the basic principle is to utilize the principle of action and reaction, as described by Newton's third law of motion. By ejecting gases or fluids at high velocities in the opposite direction, according to the law, an equal and opposite force is exerted, propelling the vehicle forward. This is accomplished through the use of engines, such as jet engines or rocket engines, which burn fuel and expel gases to create the necessary jet force.
Jet propulsion can be categorized into two main types: air-breathing and non-air-breathing. Air-breathing jet propulsion relies on atmospheric air as its source of oxygen for combustion, whereas non-air-breathing propulsion systems carry their own oxidizer, such as liquid oxygen, and can operate in the vacuum of space.
Jet propulsion has revolutionized modern transportation and exploration, allowing for faster and more efficient modes of travel. It has been instrumental in enabling aircraft to achieve greater speeds and distances, making long-distance air travel possible. In space exploration, jet propulsion has powered spacecraft to venture beyond Earth's atmosphere and explore distant planets and celestial bodies.
The word "jet" can be traced back to the French "jeter", meaning "to throw" or "to propel". It was first used in English in the 17th century to refer to a stream of liquid forcibly ejected from a small opening.
The term "propulsion" comes from the Latin "propellere", which combines "pro", meaning "forward", and "pellere", meaning "to drive". Thus, "propulsion" refers to the act of driving or pushing something forward.
"Jet propulsion" specifically combines the idea of a forceful stream or jet with the concept of forward movement or propulsion. The term is commonly used to describe the propulsion method in which a high-speed jet of fluid (such as gas or liquid) is expelled in one direction to generate thrust and propel an object in the opposite direction.