Quote:
Originally Posted by dpstdd
i gotcha becaase there is more compressed air so it flows out to release the pressure but if in a giant vac wouldn't it take a heck of a lot to move ?
thanks for responses
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You're welcome.
As
STS60 pointed out, pressure change isn't the central issue. In this case, a mass of air is being thrown in one direction, so (if you're holding the air tank) you'd be sent in the other direction. Physically, it doesn't matter why the air is being thrown in one direction, or even that it is air: It is simply the fact that something is being thrown in one direction, sending you in the other.
As for how much it takes, that depends on what you're trying to do. It doesn't take more just because you're in a vacuum, and in fact, sometimes fairly simple gas rockets are used for maneuvering in space.