Rocket propulsion (solid vs. liquid fuel) MCQs – Aerospace

1. What is the main difference between solid and liquid fuel rocket propulsion?
(A) Solid fuel is stored separately from the oxidizer, whereas liquid fuel is pre-mixed.
(B) Solid fuel rockets cannot be shut down once ignited, whereas liquid fuel rockets can be controlled.
(C) Liquid fuel rockets are only used for military applications.
(D) Solid fuel rockets require external oxygen to burn, whereas liquid fuel rockets do not.

2. Which of the following is an advantage of liquid fuel rockets over solid fuel rockets?
(A) They are easier to store and handle.
(B) They have a simpler design and require less maintenance.
(C) They offer better thrust control and can be shut down and restarted.
(D) They have a longer shelf life.

3. What is a major disadvantage of liquid fuel rockets compared to solid fuel rockets?
(A) They have a lower specific impulse.
(B) They are more complex and require more components, making them harder to maintain.
(C) They cannot be used in space.
(D) They cannot be throttled during flight.

4. Which of the following is an example of a solid fuel rocket?
(A) SpaceX Falcon 9
(B) Saturn V
(C) Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster (SRB)
(D) Apollo Lunar Module

5. Why are solid fuel rockets commonly used in military applications?
(A) They are more powerful than liquid fuel rockets.
(B) They have better fuel efficiency.
(C) They are simpler, more reliable, and can be stored for long periods with quick launch readiness.
(D) They produce no exhaust, making them stealthier.

6. In liquid fuel rockets, how is fuel and oxidizer typically fed into the combustion chamber?
(A) By gravity flow.
(B) By pressurizing the tanks with an external pump system or using turbopumps.
(C) By capillary action.
(D) By manual injection before ignition.

7. Which of the following is NOT a common oxidizer used in liquid fuel rockets?
(A) Liquid Oxygen (LOX)
(B) Nitrogen Tetroxide (N₂O₄)
(C) Ammonium Perchlorate
(D) Hydrogen Peroxide (H₂O₂)

8. What is a major safety concern with liquid fuel rockets?
(A) They cannot be ignited on demand.
(B) The propellants are often highly volatile and require cryogenic storage or precise handling.
(C) They have no throttle control.
(D) They cannot produce sufficient thrust for large payloads.

9. Why are solid fuel rockets preferred for launch boosters?
(A) They provide high thrust in a short time, which is useful for initial launch.
(B) They have a higher efficiency than liquid fuel rockets.
(C) They are easily reusable.
(D) They allow for mid-flight fuel refilling.

10. Which of the following rocket engines uses a liquid bipropellant system?
(A) SR-71 Blackbird engine
(B) Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME)
(C) V-2 Rocket
(D) AMRAAM missile motor