Applications in rockets
Using a heated catalyst, nitrous oxide will decompose into nitrogen and oxygen.
The large heat release provides a large mono propellant specific impulse. This has made it
the optimal propellant for many liquid-fueled hybrid rockets. Although it still provides
noticeably less specific impulse then some other fuels, nitrous oxide is non-toxic so it
still is worth using.
The large heat release provides a large mono propellant specific impulse. This has made it
the optimal propellant for many liquid-fueled hybrid rockets. Although it still provides
noticeably less specific impulse then some other fuels, nitrous oxide is non-toxic so it
still is worth using.
Uses in medicine
Nitrous oxide's most common use in medicine is as an anesthetic. Although it is used in dentistry for operations, it is generally used as a carrier gas in a 2:1 ratio with oxygen for a more powerful anesthetic due to the fact that it is regarded as one of the weaker ones.