The Evolution of Energy in Jet and Rocket Propulsion

Abstract

WHEN the temperature of the gas reaches the high level, the molecules begin to break up into atoms or groups of atoms, which after recombination form new and smaller molecules of a simpler structure. For instance, tri‐atomic molecules after having been split form diatomic ones. This process is called the dissociation of gases. The newly‐formed molecules, when colliding, again form molecules of the original gas, so two processes are occurring simultaneously. However, the higher the temperature, the larger the percentage of dissociated molecules.