Atoms that have either a negative or positive charge we call ions. The Deep Space 1 spacecraft uses an ion engine to propel itself through space! The ion engine contains a gas called xenon (pronounced ZEE-non). The xenon is given a charge, just as the confetti has a charge. Another part of the ion engine is a thin sheet of metal with many little holes in it (sort of like a window screen). This metal screen also has a charge, like the balloon. So the metal screen attracts the xenon ions like the balloon attracts the confetti.
The charged metal screen makes the xenon ions move very fast, so they zoom right through the holes and out the other side of the screen. As they shoot out (the action), they push back against the spacecraft (the reaction). This engine uses the same law of nature that makes a regular fuel-burning rocket work. (See how to build a pop-rocket.) The forces of attraction are very strong in ion propulsion. The ions actually move much faster than does the hot gas coming out of a regular rocket engine. So the ion propulsion system works even better!
Read the story of Professor Starr's Dream Trip, made possible by the ion engine.
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