- #1
moatilliatta
- 34
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The below though experiment which i devised, raises some personal concerns about my understanding of thermodynamics and aerodynamics, based on the fact that they seem to predict different outcomes. If anyone out there could offer some insight into what would actually happen, it would be greatly appreciated.
Its recommended that you read up on the physics of a tack maneuver here http://www.physclips.unsw.edu.au/jw/sailing.html before reading
Bob an aerodynamics expert, invites John a thermodynamics expert on to his sailboat. Its a no wind day and they are late to the physics faculty barbecue, which is down stream. The current is moving at quite a pace and bob notices there is in fact enough relative wind to conduct a tack maneuver, which should allow them to get to there destination sooner. When he tells John of this, John dismisses this saying that it would be impossible to gain extra momentum from nowhere. Bob states that the Bernoulli's principle allows the heat content of the air to be utilized by the airfoil to create greater lift force than drag. John replies by stating that such things are prohibited by the second law of thermodynamics, as such an interaction would reduce entropy.
At this moment in time i would have to side with Bob, i however am quite open to that opinion being wrong.
thank you for taking the time to read
Its recommended that you read up on the physics of a tack maneuver here http://www.physclips.unsw.edu.au/jw/sailing.html before reading
Bob an aerodynamics expert, invites John a thermodynamics expert on to his sailboat. Its a no wind day and they are late to the physics faculty barbecue, which is down stream. The current is moving at quite a pace and bob notices there is in fact enough relative wind to conduct a tack maneuver, which should allow them to get to there destination sooner. When he tells John of this, John dismisses this saying that it would be impossible to gain extra momentum from nowhere. Bob states that the Bernoulli's principle allows the heat content of the air to be utilized by the airfoil to create greater lift force than drag. John replies by stating that such things are prohibited by the second law of thermodynamics, as such an interaction would reduce entropy.
At this moment in time i would have to side with Bob, i however am quite open to that opinion being wrong.
thank you for taking the time to read
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