ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Exhaust velocity

Exhaust velocity is the speed at which gases leave a rocket's engine or any other device that produces exhaust. It's like when you blow up a balloon and then let go of the end, the air rushes out quickly.

When a rocket engine burns fuel, it creates hot gas that pushes against the inside walls of the engine. This pressure causes the gas to shoot out of the engine's nozzle, like water coming out of a hose. The speed at which the gas shoots out is the exhaust velocity.

The exhaust velocity is an important factor in how much thrust a rocket can produce and how efficient it is. The faster the gas shoots out, the more push it gives to the rocket. Higher exhaust velocities also mean that the rocket can travel faster and go farther, because it can overcome the force of gravity more easily.

So, just like blowing up a balloon, you can imagine a rocket engine as a huge balloon that is blowing out hot gas very fast, making the rocket go vroom vroom!