Consider the following statements in respect of a jet engine and a rocket:
- A jet engine uses the surrounding air for its oxygen supply and so is unsuitable for motion in space.
- A rocket carries its own supply of oxygen in the gas form, and fuel.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Explanation
Statement 1 is correct
- A jet engine is an “air-breathing” engine; it must intake atmospheric oxygen to combust its fuel. Consequently, it cannot function in the vacuum of space.
Statement 2 is incorrect
- While a rocket does carry its own oxidizer (oxygen source) and fuel, it rarely carries oxygen in gas form for primary propulsion. To save space and increase efficiency, rockets carry oxygen as a liquid (cryogenic) or within solid/liquid chemical compounds.
