Question

Explain the two types of propellant.

Answer 1

1. Liquid propellants:

• Fuel and oxidisers are combined in a combustion chamber where they bum and come out from the base of the rocket with a great force.
• Liquid hydrogen, hydrazine and ethyl alcohol are the liquid fuels.
• Some of the oxidizers are oxygen, ozone, hydrogen peroxide and fuming nitric acid.

2. Solid propellants :

• Fuel and oxidiser compounds are already combined.
• When they are ignited they bum and produce heat energy.
• Combustion of solid propellants cannot be stopped once it is ignited.
• Solid fuels used in rockets are polyurethanes and polybutadienes. Nitrate and chlorate salts are used as oxidizers.