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Rocket Engine Vocabulary Flashcards

1
Q

What is a rocket engine?

A

A rocket engine is a type of engine that uses rocket propulsion to generate thrust.

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2
Q

True or False: Rocket engines operate by expelling mass in the opposite direction to generate thrust.

A

True

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3
Q

Fill in the blank: The principle of action and reaction is known as _______.

A

Newton’s Third Law of Motion

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4
Q

What are the two main types of rocket engines?

A

Liquid rocket engines and solid rocket engines.

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5
Q

What is the purpose of a combustion chamber in a rocket engine?

A

To burn fuel and oxidizer to produce hot gases for thrust.

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6
Q

Multiple choice: Which of the following is a common liquid rocket fuel? A) Hydrogen B) Coal C) Wood

A

A) Hydrogen

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7
Q

What is specific impulse (Isp)?

A

A measure of the efficiency of rocket engines, defined as thrust produced per unit weight flow of propellant.

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8
Q

True or False: Solid rocket engines can be throttled during flight.

A

False

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9
Q

What is the role of an oxidizer in a rocket engine?

A

To provide the necessary oxygen for the combustion of fuel.

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10
Q

Fill in the blank: The _______ is the part of the rocket that contains the fuel and oxidizer.

A

propellant

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11
Q

What is a turbo pump?

A

A device used to pump fuel and oxidizer into the combustion chamber of a liquid rocket engine.

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12
Q

Multiple choice: Which of the following is NOT a component of a rocket engine? A) Nozzle B) Combustion chamber C) Wheel

A

C) Wheel

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13
Q

What does the term ‘thrust vectoring’ refer to?

A

The ability to control the direction of thrust to steer a rocket.

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14
Q

True or False: The nozzle of a rocket engine is designed to expand and accelerate exhaust gases.

A

True

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15
Q

What is the main advantage of liquid rocket engines over solid rocket engines?

A

They can be throttled, restarted, and controlled more precisely.

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16
Q

Fill in the blank: The _______ is the area where the fuel and oxidizer mix and ignite.

A

combustion chamber

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17
Q

What is a bipropellant?

A

A type of rocket propellant that consists of two components, typically a fuel and an oxidizer.

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18
Q

Multiple choice: Which of the following is a common solid rocket fuel? A) Liquid Oxygen B) Ammonium Perchlorate C) Liquid Hydrogen

A

B) Ammonium Perchlorate

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19
Q

What does ‘staging’ refer to in rocketry?

A

The process of jettisoning parts of the rocket during flight to reduce weight.

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20
Q

True or False: A rocket engine can function in the vacuum of space.

A

True

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21
Q

What is the purpose of the rocket nozzle?

A

To convert thermal energy from combustion into kinetic energy, accelerating exhaust gases.

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22
Q

Fill in the blank: The _______ of a rocket is the force that opposes thrust and includes drag and weight.

A

resistance

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23
Q

What is a monopropellant?

A

A propellant that consists of a single chemical that decomposes to produce thrust.

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24
Q

Multiple choice: Which component is responsible for mixing fuel and oxidizer in a liquid rocket engine? A) Injector B) Nozzle C) Combustion chamber

A

A) Injector

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25
What is the difference between hypergolic and non-hypergolic propellants?
Hypergolic propellants ignite spontaneously upon contact, while non-hypergolic propellants require an ignition source.
26
True or False: Liquid rocket engines generally have a higher specific impulse than solid rocket engines.
True
27
Fill in the blank: The _______ of a rocket determines its trajectory and flight path.
thrust vector
28
What is an aerospike engine?
A type of rocket engine with a nozzle that maintains efficiency at varying altitudes.
29
Multiple choice: Which of the following is a key factor in determining the efficiency of a rocket engine? A) Thrust-to-weight ratio B) Color of the rocket C) Number of engines
A) Thrust-to-weight ratio
30
What is a rocket's payload?
The cargo carried by the rocket, which can include satellites, scientific instruments, or crew.
31
True or False: Rocket engines can only use one type of fuel.
False
32
Fill in the blank: The _______ is the maximum speed a rocket can achieve based on its design and fuel.
velocity
33
What is a liquid bipropellant engine?
An engine that uses two separate components, a fuel and an oxidizer, both in liquid form.
34
Multiple choice: What is the main disadvantage of solid rocket engines? A) Complexity B) Lack of control C) Cost
B) Lack of control
35
What does 'roll control' refer to in rocketry?
The ability to control the rotation of the rocket around its longitudinal axis.
36
True or False: All rocket engines require an external ignition source.
False
37
Fill in the blank: The _______ is the part of the rocket that provides the stability and control during flight.
fin
38
What is the main function of the guidance system in a rocket?
To control the rocket's trajectory and ensure it reaches its intended target.
39
Multiple choice: Which of the following is a common oxidizer used in rocket propulsion? A) Kerosene B) Liquid Oxygen C) Methane
B) Liquid Oxygen
40
What is a thrust chamber?
The section of the rocket engine where fuel and oxidizer are mixed and burned to produce thrust.
41
True or False: The larger the nozzle, the more thrust a rocket can produce.
True
42
Fill in the blank: The _______ is created when the rocket's engine is ignited and gases are expelled.
thrust
43
What is the purpose of a rocket's heat shield?
To protect the rocket from heat generated during atmospheric re-entry.
44
Multiple choice: Which type of rocket engine is usually simpler and cheaper to manufacture? A) Liquid engine B) Solid engine
B) Solid engine
45
What does 'payload fairing' refer to?
The protective shell that encases the payload during launch.
46
True or False: The performance of a rocket engine can be affected by atmospheric pressure.
True
47
Fill in the blank: The _______ is a measure of a rocket's ability to overcome gravity.
thrust-to-weight ratio
48
What is a staging event in rocketry?
The moment when a rocket discards a stage to reduce weight and improve performance.
49
Multiple choice: Which component is primarily responsible for creating thrust in a rocket engine? A) Combustion chamber B) Nozzle C) Both A and B
C) Both A and B
50
What is a rocket's apogee?
The highest point in a rocket's trajectory.
51
True or False: A rocket engine can operate in a vacuum without any modifications.
True
52
Fill in the blank: The _______ is the force that pulls the rocket back to Earth.
gravity
53
What is the function of the rocket's avionics?
To provide navigation, control, and communication systems for the rocket.
54
Multiple choice: What is the purpose of a rocket's telemetry system? A) To monitor engine performance B) To control the rocket's speed C) To track the rocket's location
A) To monitor engine performance
55
What does 'roll-out' refer to in the context of rocket launch?
The process of moving the rocket to the launch pad.
56
True or False: Liquid oxygen is a cryogenic propellant.
True
57
Fill in the blank: The _______ is the area of high-pressure gases that exits the nozzle.
exhaust plume
58
What is a thrust-to-weight ratio?
The ratio of the thrust produced by the rocket's engines to the weight of the rocket.
59
Multiple choice: Which type of rocket propulsion is typically used for deep-space missions? A) Solid propulsion B) Ion propulsion C) Chemical propulsion
B) Ion propulsion
60
What is the main disadvantage of using cryogenic propellants?
They require complex storage and handling due to very low temperatures.
61
True or False: The main function of a rocket engine is to propel it into space.
True
62
Fill in the blank: The _______ is a measure of how efficiently a rocket uses its propellant.
specific impulse
63
What is the role of the rocket's control surfaces?
To provide aerodynamic stability and control during flight.
64
Multiple choice: What is a key benefit of using reusable rocket stages? A) Increased cost B) Reduced launch frequency C) Lower overall launch costs
C) Lower overall launch costs
65
What is an orbital insertion?
The process of placing a rocket into a specific orbit around a celestial body.
66
True or False: The first stage of a rocket is usually the largest and most powerful.
True
67
Fill in the blank: The _______ is the part of the rocket that provides the shape necessary for aerodynamic flight.
body
68
What does 'gimbaling' refer to in rocket engines?
The ability to pivot the engine's nozzle to control the rocket's direction.
69
Multiple choice: Which of the following is a potential source of thrust in a rocket? A) Chemical reactions B) Electric propulsion C) Both A and B
C) Both A and B
70
What is the purpose of the rocket's landing gear?
To support the rocket during landing and ground operations.
71
True or False: Rocket engines can only operate in the Earth's atmosphere.
False
72
Fill in the blank: The _______ is the point in space where the rocket's velocity is zero.
apogee
73
What is a rocket's trajectory?
The path that a rocket follows through space as it travels.
74
Multiple choice: Which type of rocket engine is most commonly used in space exploration? A) Solid rocket engines B) Liquid rocket engines C) Hybrid rocket engines
B) Liquid rocket engines
75
What is the significance of the rocket's launch window?
It is the specific time period during which a launch must occur to reach the desired orbit or destination.
76
True or False: The thrust produced by a rocket engine is constant throughout its burn time.
False
77
Fill in the blank: The _______ is the system that provides power to the rocket's electronics and systems.
power supply
78
What does 'payload capacity' refer to?
The maximum weight of cargo that a rocket can carry to space.
79
Multiple choice: Which component of a rocket helps to stabilize its flight path? A) Payload B) Fins C) Fuel tanks
B) Fins
80
What is the purpose of the rocket's fairing?
To protect the payload from aerodynamic forces and environmental conditions during launch.
81
True or False: The first successful rocket launch was in the 20th century.
True
82
Fill in the blank: The _______ is the part of the rocket that separates from the main body after the first stage burn.
stage

Rocket Engine (2 decks)

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