Why do rockets have fins?

[Retro]

Here's a fascinating Action Lab video explaining why rockets normally must have fins to fly straight. Now, I'm pretty good at physics principles and know most of the common stuff, but today I learned something new. Check it out.

Nerd level: rocket scientist.

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[Crims]

I honestly enjoy critiquing these things, though I could easily summarise with @Aerodynamic

I enjoyed learning about center of pressure - I wasn't a physics uni student, the video helps a lot with teaching the principles.

 

[Mars]

Here's a fascinating Action Lab video explaining why rockets normally must have fins to fly straight. Now, I'm pretty good at physics principles and know most of the common stuff, but today I learned something new. Check it out.

Nerd level: rocket scientist.

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For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

Great stuff, well explained, even I could understand it.
That is what I love about physics, you can't escape its laws, and when those laws are understood and obeyed, the sky is the limit, literally. Or should I say the sky and beyond.....

 

[Retro]

@Mars yeah, physics is fascinating and Action Lab is especially good at explaining these things and making them interesting with their slightly dodgy home demos. I encourage you to browse the channel and watch a couple more.

 

[Mars]

@Mars yeah, physics is fascinating and Action Lab is especially good at explaining these things and making them interesting with their slightly dodgy home demos. I encourage you to browse the channel and watch a couple more.

Yeah thanks, I will.
BTW, talking about the Laws of Physics: it's all fine and good until you stumble onto Quantum Physics, where nothing is as it seems; a truly upside down world

 

[Retro]

Oh yes, quantum physics. I don't think anyone truly understands it completely, not even the best physicists. Yet, it stand up very well to experimental verification, with superposition and spooky action at a distance being the weirdest.

 

[Mars]

Oh yes, quantum physics. I don't think anyone truly understands it completely, not even the best physicists. Yet, it stand up very well to experimental verification, with superposition and spooky action at a distance being the weirdest.

True, it definitely stands up to experimental verification, yet it has this elusive quality about it. I shall never forget hearing a comment by a quantum physicist, who said "if you ever hear someone say they completely understand quantum physics, don't believe them. I work with it every day of my life, and I don't".

It is truly a riddle wrapped in a mystery deep within an unfathomable enigma, quite frightening really.

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