Of course, air travel has made the entire process of commuting from one
destination to another extremely easy and time efficient; this is the
very reason why most people across the globe prefer traveling by air.
But there are many of us who find the concept of air travel very risky
and hence, try to avoid it. In case you are also one of those who are
afraid of traveling by air, this article should help you over come your
fear of flying to a certain extent, if not entirely.
Some might find it scary driving on crowded roads and honestly, it is
quite understandable looking at the number of car accidents that take
place almost every day. But, judging by the super low frequency of
airplane accidents, you should know that it is actually much safer to
travel by air than by car. I know it sounds a little weird, but it’s
actually true.
When do we fear something?
Fear builds only when we don’t know the reason why something may
happen. So if this article were to tell you ‘DO NOT be scared traveling
by air’, it sure wouldn’t help you much in overcoming your fear of
flying.
But if you have a decent idea on how jet engines work, I’m sure, the
next time you get on a flight, you will be way more confident than ever
before. Read on to know how.
How does a jet engine work?
A jet engine is basically a heat engine that releases hot gasses with
high force propelling the aircraft to move forward. This is exactly how
it happens; the air entering from the front is used by the aircraft
engine to burn fuel for its operation, producing hot gasses that are
blasted out from rear with extremely high force in order to create
propulsion. Jet engines use this technique in a very efficient way and
help the aircraft move forward, extremely fast, while you are nestled
in the safety of the passenger cabin.
The Science behind jet engines:
The scientific principles
that jet engines use in order to operate aircrafts, was first stated by
the famous English mathematician and physicist, Isaac Newton
(1642-1727) in the year 1687. Newton’s third law of motion, which you
may recall having read in school; states that, ‘for every action there
is an equal and opposite reaction’.
This can be well demonstrated with a balloon filled with air. Okay,
let’s do this, try inflating a balloon, but do not tie its mouth, then
let go. You would see the balloon going upwards while the air comes out
from below in the downward direction.
According to Newton, the releasing of air is the ‘action’ and the
movement of the balloon in the opposite direction is the ‘reaction’.
This is exactly the same thing that happens in an aircraft. The air
entering the engine is considered to be the action while the releasing
of the gasses from behind is the ‘reaction’, resulting in the forward
movement of the aircraft.
Kinds of Jet Engines:
Talking about jet engines, there are a few types that are found today.
They are as follows:
Ramjet engines
Turbojet engines
Turboprop engines.
Ramjet:
It is a simple air breathing jet engine which compresses the air
entering from the front of the engine in order to burn fuel.
Turbojet:
This is also an air-breathing engine that uses a certain percentage of
the gasses released by the aircraft engine to operate the compressor,
for which the incoming air volume is reduced and the pressure created
in the compressor is increased.
Turboprop:
An air breathing engine used to power a conventional aircraft driven by
a propeller.
In conclusion, ‘The working of a jet engine’ is a vast topic and
therefore, it is not possible to explain each and every aspect in
details in this article. The important thing to remember though is the
fact that modern jet engines are highly evolved pieces of machinery
which have been tested for performance and safety in a million ways to
help you reach your destination safe and sound. Thousands of people
around the world trust and use jet engine powered planes to travel
quickly and safely, so why should you not enjoy this wonderful
technology which is one of the wonders of the modern age!
All material provided on this website is provided for informational or education purposes only. No content is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Consult your physician regarding the applicability of any opinions or recommendations with respect to your symptoms or medical condition. The author is not a pilot, therapist, psychologist, physician, or other mental health or medical professional. Customer names or locations may have been changed to preserve anonymity. Your individual results may vary and are influenced by many factors.