Why do rockets need so much fuel?
Show answer & explanation
Answer: Must carry own oxygen and mass
Must carry own oxygen and mass ✓ — Correct! Unlike planes that use atmospheric oxygen, rockets must carry their own oxidizer. Plus, each bit of fuel needs more fuel to lift it! This 'tyranny of the rocket equation' means most of a rocket's weight is fuel.
Fuel burns inefficiently — Wrong. Rocket engines are actually quite efficient. The challenge is the basic physics of carrying your own propellant.
Engines are very heavy — Wrong. Engines are relatively small. The fuel mass dominates because rockets must carry both fuel AND oxygen.
More Transportation questions
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