Home
Back
Thrust Formula:
| From: | To: |
Thrust is the force produced by the expulsion of high-speed exhaust gases from a rocket engine or jet propulsion system. It is the fundamental force that propels aircraft, rockets, and other vehicles through the air or space.
The calculator uses the thrust formula:
Where:
Explanation: The thrust generated by a propulsion system is directly proportional to both the mass flow rate of the exhaust gases and their exit velocity.
Details: Accurate thrust calculation is crucial for designing propulsion systems, determining vehicle performance, ensuring proper acceleration, and optimizing fuel efficiency in aerospace and mechanical engineering applications.
Tips: Enter mass flow rate in kg/s and exit velocity in m/s. Both values must be positive numbers greater than zero for accurate calculation.
Q1: What units are used for thrust calculation?
A: Thrust is typically measured in Newtons (N), mass flow rate in kilograms per second (kg/s), and exit velocity in meters per second (m/s).
Q2: How does exit velocity affect thrust?
A: Thrust increases linearly with exit velocity. Higher exit velocities result in greater thrust for the same mass flow rate.
Q3: What factors influence mass flow rate?
A: Mass flow rate depends on the propellant consumption rate, engine design, combustion efficiency, and operating conditions of the propulsion system.
Q4: Is this formula applicable to all propulsion systems?
A: This basic thrust formula applies to rocket engines and jet propulsion systems where the exhaust gases provide the reaction force. It assumes ideal conditions without accounting for atmospheric pressure effects.
Q5: How does atmospheric pressure affect thrust?
A: For more accurate calculations, especially for air-breathing engines, the formula should account for the pressure difference between the exhaust and ambient atmosphere: \( F = \dot{m} \times C_j + (P_e - P_a) \times A_e \), where \( P_e \) is exhaust pressure, \( P_a \) is ambient pressure, and \( A_e \) is exhaust area.