Ask an Explainer

Q:

Is the thrust produced in electric propulsion always directly proportional to exhaust or does it vary?

A:

The thrust produced in electric propulsion is not proportional to exhaust because electrically propelled vehicles don’t create any exhaust.

 

Electric propulsion is a brand new technology still in early experimental stages in airplanes. An airplane that uses electric propulsion uses electricity stored in batteries to power propellers instead of a piston engine. An electric powered airplane you may have heard of is Solar Impulse. This plane stopped at the National Air and Space Museum during its flight across the United States in 2013.

Ask an Explainer
Categories: