Characteristic Velocity
Characteristic velocity, abbreviated as U, measure the effectiveness of the combustion of a rocket engine at high temperature and pressure, seperate from nozzle performance. It is used to compare different propellant and propulsion systems.
Characteristic velocity formula
\(\large{ U = \frac { p_c \; A } { \dot m_f } }\) |
Where:
Units | English | Metric |
\(\large{ U }\) = characteristic velocity | \(\large{\frac{ft}{sec}}\) | \(\large{\frac{m}{s}}\) |
\(\large{ A }\) (Greek symbol rho) = area of throat | \(\large{ft^2}\) | \(\large{m^2}\) |
\(\large{ \dot m_f }\) = mass flow rate | \(\large{\frac{lbm}{sec}}\) | \(\large{\frac{kg}{s}}\) |
\(\large{ p_c }\) = pressure of chamber | \(\large{\frac{lbf}{in^2}}\) | \(\large{Pa}\) |
Related Characteristic Velocity formulas
\(\large{ U = \sqrt{ 2 \; Ec \; c \; \Delta T } }\) | (Eckert number) |
\(\large{ U = \sqrt{ \frac{\Delta p}{Eu \; \rho} } }\) | (Euler number) |
Where:
\(\large{ U }\) = characteristic velocity
\(\large{ \rho }\) (Greek symbol rho) = density
\(\large{ Ec }\) = Eckert number
\(\large{ Eu }\) = Euler number
\(\large{ c }\) = specific heat
\(\large{ \Delta T }\) = temperature change
Tags: Equations for Velocity