Action-Reaction Law


In the context of aerospace engineering, the Action-Reaction Law, also known as Newton's Third Law of Motion, states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. This principle is fundamental to the design and operation of all types of aircraft and spacecraft. For instance, the propulsion of rockets and jet engines is based on this law. When a rocket engine expels gas particles at high speed in one direction (the action), the rocket is propelled in the opposite direction (the reaction). This is due to the conservation of momentum, which is the product of the mass and velocity of an object. The Action-Reaction Law is also crucial in understanding the behavior of aircraft in flight. For example, the lift generated by an airplane wing is a reaction to the wing's action on the air flowing over it. Similarly, the control surfaces on the tail and wings of an aircraft change the direction of the airflow, causing a reaction that changes the aircraft's direction of flight.


Your Previous Searches
Random Picks

  • Atmospheric Reentry: Atmospheric reentry is the process of returning a spacecraft or satellite back to the Earth's atmosphere from space. During this process, the spacecraft experiences high temperatures and pressures due to the friction between the atmosphere ... Read More >>
  • GPS: GPS (Global Positioning System) is a satellite-based navigation system that provides location and time information in all weather conditions, anywhere on or near the Earth. It consists of a network of satellites orbiting the Earth, ground c ... Read More >>
  • Air Mass: In space and astronautical engineering, an air mass refers to a large volume of air with relatively uniform temperature, humidity, and pressure characteristics. Air masses are classified based on their source region, which can be continenta ... Read More >>
Top News

Orionids meteor shower is this weekend: Where and when to watch its peak...

Orionids meteor shower is this weekend: Where and when to watch its peakgo.com...

News Source: ABC News on 2024-10-18

Acting or hosting, Travis Kelce wants to continue to pursue a showbiz career. Bu...

Travis Kelce is the host of “Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity?”...

News Source: ABC News on 2024-10-09

Now is a great time to see Saturn in all its ringed glory...

My first sight of Saturn through a telescope inspired my love of space. Dig out your telescopes or visit your local astronomy club, and you may be lucky enough to spot our sixth planet's stunning thic...

News Source: New Scientist on 2024-10-09

Was Bruce Willis right? Could a nuclear blast save us from killer asteroid?...

Scientists simulated a nuclear explosion using x-ray pulses to push an asteroid-like rock away in space-like conditions....

News Source: Al Jazeera English on 2024-10-04

China's answer to SpaceX's Starlink is also threatening astronomy...

The first 18 satellites of a planned Chinese mega constellation are brighter than all but 500 stars in the sky, raising fears of a huge impact on astronomy...

News Source: New Scientist on 2024-10-03