Department of Energy Argonne National Laboratory Office of Science NEWTON's Homepage NEWTON's Homepage
NEWTON, Ask A Scientist!
NEWTON Home Page NEWTON Teachers Visit Our Archives Ask A Question How To Ask A Question Question of the Week Our Expert Scientists Volunteer at NEWTON! Frequently Asked Questions Referencing NEWTON About NEWTON About Ask A Scientist Education At Argonne Rocket fuel 
Name: Tony
Status: N/A
Age: N/A
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: 1999
Question:
How do they make rocket fuel?


Replies:
There are two basic kinds of rocket fuel: liquid propellants or solid. Liquid propellants are usually liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen (although the Russians use kerosene and liquid oxygen). Solid rocket propellant is usually composed of powdered aluminum, ammonium perchlorate (the oxydizer for the aluminum) and a binder (often something similar to RTV); sometimes nitroglycerin is added for extra punch!

Jade


Click here to return to the Chemistry Archives

NEWTON is an electronic community for Science, Math, and Computer Science K-12 Educators, sponsored and operated by Argonne National Laboratory's Educational Programs, Andrew Skipor, Ph.D., Head of Educational Programs.

For assistance with NEWTON contact a System Operator (help@newton.dep.anl.gov), or at Argonne's Educational Programs

NEWTON AND ASK A SCIENTIST
Educational Programs
Building 360
9700 S. Cass Ave.
Argonne, Illinois
60439-4845, USA
Update: February 2012
Weclome To Newton

Argonne National Laboratory