What fuel for a rocket?

TL;DR

This paper uses basic physics and thermodynamics to derive an expression for rocket exhaust velocity, helping identify ideal fuel properties for efficient propulsion.

Contribution

It introduces a simplified analytical approach to determine optimal rocket fuel characteristics based on thermodynamic principles.

Findings

Derived an expression for exhaust velocity of gases

Identified key properties for effective rocket fuels

Provided a theoretical basis for fuel selection

Abstract

Elementary concepts from general physics and thermodynamics have been used to analyze rocket propulsion. Making some reasonable assumptions, an expression for the exit velocity of the gases is found. From that expression one can conclude what are the desired properties for a rocket fuel.