DeepSummary
The podcast episode explains the basics of jet propulsion, how it works, and its development history. Jet propulsion refers to the propulsion of an object by ejecting a high-velocity fluid stream in the opposite direction, based on Newton's third law of motion. Unlike rockets that carry their own oxidizer, jet engines obtain oxygen from the atmosphere. The two main types of jet engines used in aviation are turbojets and turbofans, with turbofans being more efficient and quieter.
The origins of the jet engine can be traced back to the development of gas turbine engines in the early 20th century. Hans von Ohain in Germany and Frank Whittle in the UK are credited as the co-inventors of the jet engine, with the first jet-powered flight happening in 1939. Jet engines saw limited use in World War II but became dominant in commercial and military aviation after the war, thanks to their ability to fly faster, higher, and with greater fuel efficiency compared to propeller-driven aircraft.
While jet engines have seen continuous improvements, future innovations like ramjets and scramjets could enable supersonic and hypersonic commercial air travel. The episode also discusses the raw power of jet engines, which can be experienced at the beach on the island of St. Thomas where jet exhaust blows directly onto beachgoers during takeoff.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Jet propulsion works by ejecting a high-velocity fluid stream in the opposite direction to provide thrust, based on Newton's third law of motion.
- Jet engines transformed aviation by allowing aircraft to fly faster, higher, and more efficiently than propeller-driven planes.
- Turbofan engines are the most common type of jet engine used in modern commercial aviation, as they are more fuel-efficient and quieter than turbojets.
- The origins of the jet engine can be traced back to the work of Hans von Ohain in Germany and Frank Whittle in the UK in the 1930s.
- Future innovations like ramjets and scramjets could enable supersonic and hypersonic commercial air travel.
- The raw power of jet engines can be experienced at the beach on the island of St. Thomas, where jet exhaust blows directly onto beachgoers during takeoff.
- Jet engines operate by obtaining oxygen from the atmosphere, unlike rockets that carry their own oxidizer.
- The adoption of jet aircraft allowed for larger planes and contributed to the rise of international air travel and the "jet set" lifestyle.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “A jet, on the other hand, gets its oxygen from the atmosphere. A rocket can operate in the vacuum of space, whereas a jet can only operate in the atmosphere.“ by Gary Arndt
- “Jet aircraft proved to be so popular that by 1959, for the first time in history, more passengers crossed the Atlantic by air than by sea.“ by Gary Arndt
- “Computer modeling shows that ramjets would work most efficiently around mach three. However, if you want to go even faster, there's a version of a ramjet known as a scramjet.“ by Gary Arndt
- “I was there for several jet takeoffs, and the air coming out of the jet engines was so powerful that it would knock most people off their feet.“ by Gary Arndt
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Episode Information
Everything Everywhere Daily
Gary Arndt | Glassbox Media
3/29/24