What is the stuff that comes out of jets?

Author: Vella Kerluke  |  Last update: Sunday, April 13, 2025

These clouds are contrails, short for condensation trails. Water vapor is one of the byproducts of jet fuel combustion and will turn into ice crystals in the cold air at the high elevations where jet airplanes fly. Those ice crystals create a cloud (the contrail), which does not pose any public health risk.

What is the white stuff coming out of jets?

These white lines are referred to as contrails - an abbreviation for condensation trails. The reasoning behind why these "sky art" lines are formed can be explained with the analogy of why you can see your breath in the air at certain times. The water vapor present in the jet exhaust condenses and could freeze.

What comes out of jets?

Jet engine exhaust contains carbon dioxide, oxides of sulfur and nitrogen, unburned fuel, soot and metal particles, as well as water vapor. The soot provides condensation sites for the water vapor. Any particles present in the air provide additional sites.

What is the smoke from jets called?

Contrails (/ˈkɒntreɪlz/; short for "condensation trails") or vapor trails are line-shaped clouds produced by aircraft engine exhaust or changes in air pressure, typically at aircraft cruising altitudes several kilometres/miles above the Earth's surface.

Why do military jets not leave contrails?

The engine thrust of a fighter jet is far below that of a jumbo jet. The more thrust, the more air that is moving through the engine, and hence, the larger the contrail. Contrails only happen under specific atmospheric conditions, typically at high altitudes.

Why Do Airplanes Leave Trails In the Sky

Why do jets release smoke?

They're called contrails, which is a shortened version of the phrase “condensation trail." Airplane engines produce exhaust, just like car engines do. As hot exhaust gases escape from a plane, the water vapor in the fumes hits the air.

What comes out of a jet pack?

An article in Popular Mechanics succinctly described how jet packs work. It works the same way rocket engines do by combining fuel with an oxidizing agent. The chemical reaction releases copious heat energy causing hot gas to shoot downwards to produce thrust.

What are the three types of contrails?

Contrails last longer when there is a greater amount of water in the air; when all of the water in the clouds evaporates the contrail disappears. There are three types of contrails: short-lived, persistent non-spreading, and persistent spreading.

What is the black gunk coming out of my jetted tub?

Answer. The black flakes are mold and mildew, bacteria from human skin, oils, soaps, and other junk (use your imagination) that have been allowed to spawn in residual water left behind within the piping from the last time the unit was used.

What do jets emit?

Carbon pollution from high-flying rich in private jets soars. Carbon pollution from private jets has soared in the past five years, with most of those small planes spewing more heat-trapping carbon dioxide in about two hours of flying than the average person does in about a year, a new study finds.

Why do planes fly so high?

They generally fly at higher altitudes, usually between 30,000 to 42,000 feet, because the air gets thinner the higher you go. When the air is thinner, planes can fly faster and more efficiently, using less fuel to maintain the speed required to develop lift.

What is the stuff that comes out of a jet?

Water vapor is one of the byproducts of jet fuel combustion and will turn into ice crystals in the cold air at the high elevations where jet airplanes fly. Those ice crystals create a cloud (the contrail), which does not pose any public health risk.

Why do jets make me itchy?

High Water Temperature: Prolonged exposure to hot water can dry out your skin, stripping it of natural oils and causing itchiness. Skin Sensitivity: Individuals with sensitive skin may react to the pressure and flow of the jets, especially if the jets are not adjustable or are too powerful.

What is the white stuff inside my flaps?

It can also develop in the folds of the labia and clitoris. Someone of any age can develop smegma, which looks like white cheese. Though small amounts of smegma are usually no problem, a buildup of the substance can lead to irritation and a strong, foul odor.

Are jetpacks illegal?

You would theoretically need a license or a permit to fly. If it's about flying around, you might need to get a permit. Your jetpack, despite looking like a backpack, might actually constitute a vehicle. Check your laws or call your aviation authority if you're serious.

What do jets release in the air?

Jet fuel is made of carbon and hydrogen (see this Question of the Day for details on fuel, and see How Gas Turbine Engines Work for details on jet engines). When jet fuel burns with oxygen, most of the exhaust consists of CO2 (carbon dioxide) and H2O (water). The water is generally an invisible vapor.

What is the red stuff that comes out of firefighting planes?

Known as Phos-Chek, the fire retardant has been used to fight blazes since 1963. As they grow in size and intensity, wildfires threaten communities across the Wildland Urban Interface.

Do planes dump fuel before landing?

Key Takeaways. Airplanes may need to dump fuel before landing to reduce weight in emergencies or due to maintenance issues. Not all aircraft are equipped with fuel-dumping systems; typically, only larger, wide-body planes have this capability, as required by the FAA.

What is the wake of cloud left by a fast plane?

In a nutshell, contrails – a contraction of "condensation trails" – are the line-shaped ice particle clouds formed in the wake of aircraft.

How long does jet smoke last?

The second thing you'll need to learn is how long your smokes last. Brimstone, one of the most popular smokers, has smokes that last 19.25 seconds. Omen's smokes last for 15 seconds, Astra's for 14.25 seconds, and Jett is down at 4.5 seconds.

Are jet contrails harmful?

Contrails are composed primarily of water (in the form of ice crystals) and do not pose health risks to humans. They do affect the cloudiness of the Earth's atmosphere, however, and therefore might affect atmospheric temperature and climate.

How do jets stop after landing?

Three brakes slow the airplane down when landing

For example, a Boeing 777, which weighs more than 200 tons, lands at a high speed of 250 km/h. To stop it in a short distance of only 2 km, three braking systems are used: the resistance of the wings, the brakes of the wheels, and the reverse thrust of the engines.

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