Why Hovering a Helicopter at Low Altitudes for Crowd Control Is Dangerous
“Why is hovering a helicopter at low altitudes incredibly dangerous?”
Helicopters are commonly used by law enforcement agencies for tactical missions. However, flying them at low-altitudes for crowd control can be incredibly dangerous. The dust and gravel that they kick out can hurt protesters and even cause long-term damage. Furthermore, in case of an engine failure, the helicopter will have no room to maneuver and will likely crash. This is Why Hovering a Helicopter at Low Altitudes for Crowd Control Is Dangerous.
Image credit i2.wp.com/images.onwardstate.com
Engine Pressure Ratio
“How does the ratio of outgoing and incoming air pressure affect the performance of a jet engine?”
The difference in air pressure across the entrance and exit of a jet engine is what allows a jet to fly. The greater this pressure, the better the performance. To get a standard metric for this, we can take the outlet pressure and divide it by the inlet. The greater the number, the better the performance. This is why the Engine Pressure Ratio is so important.
The Problems with Hydrogen-Powered Aircraft
“What are the barriers to the deployment of hydrogen aircraft?”
Aircraft powered by hydrogen fuels could have the potential to be a massive boon for deep decarbonization in aviation. Being able to be powered by a carbon-free energy source that is also mass-dense gives it an immense advantage over battery electric aircraft. Although Hydrogen is one of the most dense substances by mass, it is one of the least dense by volume. This means that it will take up a significant share of an aircraft’s space, hampering flying opportunities. And just like in hydrogen-powered cars, directly burning hydrogen can be incredibly dangerous. These are The Problems with Hydrogen-Powered Aircraft.
Why Airplane Windows are Round
“Why are airplane windows round?”
The low-pressure environment that airplanes fly at means that not only must they use a special glass but also a special shape. Because the internal pressure of the cabin is much higher than the external environment, the airplane will expand, inducing stress in the exterior. If square windows are used, then this stress will become overly concentrated and may break the plane. As a result, ovular windows must be used to ensure a smooth distribution of stress. This is Why Airplane Windows are Round.
Decarbonizing Air Travel
“How can we make air travel carbon-free?”
One of my favorite things to do is travel. Although I don’t get the opportunity often, I love the ability to see new lands, meet new people, and really change my perspective on the world. And one of my favorite parts is traveling to the destination by plane. Being able to gaze upon the entire world through my plane window almost makes me feel like a child again.
However, as a sustainability enthusiast, I feel bad every time I take a flight. I am aware that in one round-trip flight from San Francisco to New York I’ve generated about 20% of the greenhouse gases emitted by the average American car travel. In 1992, it accounted for 13% of all transportation emissions and is expected to grow in the coming years. As a result, Decarbonizing Air Travel is a necessity for achieving a climate-friendly world. This can be done through a multitude of sources, most notably replacement or decarbonization of jet fuel.
What Type of Glass do Airplanes Use for Windows?
“Why are airplane windows so strong and lightweight?”
I don’t know about you, but looking out of the window is one of my favorite things to do while traveling. I get to see a whole variety of landscapes from a new perspective, whether it be the city I live in looking like a model replica or the vast open countryside. But this also gets me thinking about how the engineers have to design the glass. The glass that we use for our window buildings is quite fragile, one thrown object can completely shatter it! This is completely unsuitable for air travel, where the plane can be traveling at high speeds in high-pressure differences. If a single person breaks their plane window, the entire crew can be killed!
For this reason, aircraft windows are made of plexiglass. This allows them to be lightweight while strong and transparent. This glass is also slightly layered, with a little whole in the middle portion to get rid of condensation. This is exactly What Type of Glass do Airplanes Use for Windows.
The Physics of a Fireworks Explosion
“What causes fireworks to explode?”
On 4th of July, Americans are used to seeing fireworks light up the night sky. However, have you ever wondered how exactly do they work? Well, let us use our scientific mindsets to find out. If we investigate, then we will find out that fireworks contain gunpowder in a container surrounded by a Launch Container. When a Lift Charge ignites and propels the container into the sky, there will be a time delay until it reaches its apex, at which it will explode and release a myriad of different colors!
Have a great 4th of July everyone with lots of V/I to the current regime!